Money can sometimes create a lot of tension within families, especially when someone dies and there's talk of inheritance or life insurance money.
One woman whose husband passed away aged 26 in December was left a "substantial" amount in life insurance – but now her parents feel they have a claim to it.
The anonymous woman explained the situation on a popular Reddit forum, and asked whether she was being unreasonable about not wanting them to have all the money.
She is facing a dilemma because they helped her when her husband was sick, but thinks they are asking for disproportionate" amount to pay off their mortgage.
She explained: "My husband was sick for a very long time and toward the end I needed help and my parents offered to help me and allowed us to move into their home.
"Now that my husband has died and I have money my parents are expecting me to use all the funds I received to pay off their mortgage. I know that if I do pay off their mortgage I’m never going to see that money again."
The woman has a "bad feeling about it" and despite her being "extremely thankful for their help," she feels it's "disproportionate". She added: "My husband and I moved in less than a year ago and the whole time I've been living here I have paid rent and I have helped with utilities and groceries (in short I haven’t been a freeloader or a burden).
"The car I drive to and from work is under my dad's name and the very first thing I did was pay it off."
Her parents are "so confident and sure this is the 'right' thing to do" and that it is what it "owed to them".
She added: "I have aspirations of purchasing my own home and putting money aside for retirement. I am not opposed to, and I will happily, giving them some money to show my gratitude but the idea of giving them the full amount creates a pit in my stomach."
The post received a lot of support on the forum, with many agreeing that her parents aren't entitled to anything.
One person said: "Seriously? They charged you RENT as your husband was dying and expect you to pay off their mortgage. [...] They weren't married to your husband! They’re entitled to NOTHING."
Another commented: "First off, I'm so sorry for your loss. Secondly, you were paying rent to your parents and don't owe them anything. Thirdly, your husband's life insurance policy is meant to take care of YOU."
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.
