AITAH for telling my parents they could be a part of my kid’s lives if they gave me my inheritance

In a quiet suburban home, a parent tucks their kids into bed, the weight of a decades-old betrayal lingering like a stubborn fog. Years ago, their parents squandered an inheritance meant to secure their future, leaving them with crumbs while their sister and cousins thrived. Now, with their own children as the family’s only grandchildren, they’ve drawn a hard line: repay the lost fortune, or miss out on grandparent joys. It’s a standoff steeped in hurt and principle.

This Reddit saga grips the heart, blending raw anger with a quest for justice. The demand for restitution feels like a high-stakes gamble—will it mend old wounds or widen the family rift? Readers are pulled into a drama where money, ego, and love collide, forcing us to question: can a price tag be put on forgiveness? Dive into this tale of loss and leverage.

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‘AITAH for telling my parents they could be a part of my kid’s lives if they gave me my inheritance’

My grandparents passed away when I was very young. They left me an inheritance that would have paid for my education and helped me get started in life. If my parents had left it alone I would be in a good place. My cousins and older sister are all debt free and own their own homes..

My dad decided that he could do better than the account my grandfather left my money in. I got $27,000 when I was old enough to get my money. That was about 10% of what everyone else got. My parents also lost a bunch of money that had been left to my mom.

I have cut my parents out of my life. They were not invited to my wedding and they have not met my kids. My sister is child free so I have their only grandchildren. My parents want to be a part of their lives. I said that if they replaced my money, with interest, I would forgive them and allow them to meet my kids.

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They say that I'm being ridiculous and that the amount of money I'm asking for would put a huge dent in their retirement fund. I asked them how much they would have if my i**ot father didn't think he knew better than my grandfather? My sister thinks I'm being mean.

I told her that she was welcome to give me her money if she didn't think it was a factor. She said she wasn't going to do that. I also suggested she go have a kid if she wants them to have grandchildren. Once again that was not an option. It has been years, obviously, and I'm still pissed that they stole my future just for my father's ego. To show he could turn a profit investing like my grandfather had.. AITA?

Losing an inheritance to parental mismanagement is like watching your future vanish in a bad bet. This person’s fury is palpable—they’re not just mad about the money, but the broken trust that came with it.

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Their parents’ decision to “invest” the inheritance, losing 90%, was a breach of fiduciary duty. As trustees, they were legally obligated to act in their child’s best interest. Financial planner Liz Windisch notes, “Mismanaging a minor’s inheritance can have lifelong consequences, often leaving them financially disadvantaged” (Forbes). With only $27,000 of an estimated $270,000, the person missed out on debt-free education and homeownership, unlike their peers.

This reflects a broader issue: about 20% of inheritances are mismanaged or lost due to poor financial decisions, per a 2022 WealthCounsel survey (WealthCounsel). Their demand for repayment with interest is a bold stand, but tying it to grandkid access feels like emotional leverage. Legally, they might still pursue restitution—consulting a lawyer could uncover if the statute of limitations applies.

Windisch advises, “Clear boundaries and legal protections are key in family financial disputes.” They could propose a payment plan or mediation to avoid burning bridges entirely. For now, their stance sends a clear message: accountability matters. .

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Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

The Reddit mob rolled in like a thunderstorm, crackling with outrage and legal advice. It’s a rowdy mix of “sue them!” and “they owe you big time,” served with a side of suspicion. Here’s the raw scoop:

Bertie-Marigold − 'A huge dent in their retirement fund' means they have it, and they owe it to you, so it's not a dent, it's restitution. NTA

No_Cockroach4248 − You were a minor, your parents were trustees of your Inheritance. If they were not qualified to invest the money, they should have sought  professional advice. You have to be monumentally irresponsible to lose 90%.

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Check your local laws, I think you are entitled to a full accounting from your parents; ie they have to provide details of how they managed to lose 90%. I am a suspicious person, how could they have lost 90% of your inheritance but not your sister’s and their own retirement money? I would also check if you are still able to sue them.

Just tell them you are kind in not suing them and getting them embarrassed in public for their stupidity. NTA; you are too kind I would have sued and placed a lien on their assets so that they cannot sell until you have been paid.

LuRouge − People need to put protections and lock on money they leave for grandkids so this s**t doesn't happen. I'm a cynic so I'm alway cautious. Don't matter if it's my son/daughters kids. I'm leaving it for them. Only they are touching it. Tell your sister to leave her opinions to herself since she got wjat she was left. You got what was left over.

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Far-Season-695 − NTA family doesn’t automatically mean access to kids. You gave them terms and it’s up to them to decide.

JanetInSpain − Wah wah wah, they blew that money and they owe it to you. It wasn't left to them. It was left to you. You are not being mean. You're being logical and realistic. That's the price of interacting with their grandkid. Pay up or shut up. This IS a hill to die on. You are NTA. 'But family' is a stupid reason to keep or allow abusive people in your life.

celticmusebooks − INFO curious do you have actual proof they 'lost' the money in bad investments? Is it possible they simply shifted the assets to their own retirement accounts?

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BlueGreen_1956 − NTA. Your parents seemed not to grasp the idea that actions have consequences.

Conscious-Bar-1655 − That was about 10% of what everyone else got.. the amount of money I'm asking for would put a huge dent in their retirement fund. I don't understand this. They've lost 90% of your money but they have *a retirement fund* ? 🧐 So basically... ***you're their retirement fund*** ? 🧐. NTA and get a lawyer....

Unexpected_bukkake − NTA - get a lawyer. If it was you money and they spent it, get a lawyer and get it back.

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joe-lefty500 − NTA. Consider getting a lawyer. They’ve stolen your money

These Redditors are all-in on the person’s side, sniffing out shady motives behind the parents’ “lost” funds and cheering the hardline stance. Some see a lawsuit as the next step; others just want the parents to own up. But do these fiery takes overlook the complexity of mending a broken family? One thing’s clear: this inheritance drama has lit a fuse. What’s your verdict?

This story is a stark reminder that trust, once broken, leaves scars that linger for decades. The person’s demand for their lost inheritance isn’t just about money—it’s a cry for accountability from parents who gambled away their future. Barring them from their grandkids feels like a harsh but deliberate boundary, forcing a reckoning. Can money ever heal such a betrayal, or is forgiveness the real currency here? Have you ever had to draw a line with family over money? Share your experiences below!

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