AITA for accepting a big inheritance from my grandma and telling my dad him and his family are monsters like she said?

Losing a loved one is tough enough without a family feud crashing the wake. One Reddit user found himself in that storm when his grandmother’s death in 2024 left him her house, money, and cherished keepsakes—while his estranged dad got a measly $100. Her will was ironclad, but when the user’s father and stepfamily demanded a cut, old wounds ripped open, and he didn’t hold back, echoing his grandma’s harsh label: “monsters.”

This isn’t just about cash or a house—it’s a saga of broken ties, childhood scars, and a young man standing by the one person who had his back. His dad’s pleas for “fairness” clash with a past of neglect and cruelty, leaving the user caught between guilt and grit. Was he wrong to keep it all and fire off that barb, or is this justice long overdue? Let’s unravel this tangled legacy.

‘AITA for accepting a big inheritance from my grandma and telling my dad him and his family are monsters like she said?’

My grandma died in 2024. I (23m) had lived with her since I was 17 and had taken over a lot of bills and stuff in the last year before grandma died (and it was sudden). I was also no contact with my dad and stepfamily. Grandma was no contact with them too.

For background on why and how we got here... My mom left when I was only a few months old. She changed her mind about having me and left me with my grandparents meaning my dad's parents. My dad was in the military at the time and he retired after that deployment and took me home with him.

Then my grandpa died a year later. So I don't remember him. My grandma continued helping out my dad. When I was 5 my dad told me he'd met someone and she had kids a little bit older than me and they wanted us to be a family. He got me really excited to have a mom and siblings.

I don't even remember all the lead up stuff but the first time I was meeting them I remember my dad saying our family was growing that day. And the first time we met went okay. But it was downhill after that. The second time we met my stepsiblings (who weren't stepsiblings at the time) ignored me and when me or dad were mentioned they had tantrums.

We moved in together after that. So we'd met twice and suddenly all lived together. Then the wedding took place a month later. It was very low key with hardly anyone there. But I remember my two oldest stepsiblings pushed me to the floor because the five of us were supposed to be getting ready in the same room and waiting for the parents.

But my stepsiblings didn't want me with them. What happened at the wedding wasn't an isolated incident and they bullied and abused me a lot. My dad and stepmom did nothing to stop it. They'd tell me it was hard for my stepsiblings and they had lost their dad and sometimes it made them a little angry but they would never hurt me intentionally.

Except they did. Both physically and emotionally.. My dad and stepmom started getting annoyed with me because I'd go crying to them about it. My grandma stepped in multiple times and tried to talk sense into

She pointed out that I needed him and had no one else. He said that was b**lshit and I had a mom now. Grandma said I would never in equal to or before the older kids who were my stepmom's bio kids. Dad said that's just how it works. Grandma said not with him apparently which dad resented.

Grandma tried to take me more to make up for it but my dad and stepmom protested and refused to allow it because it meant excluding my stepsiblings. Meanwhile my stepsiblings would tell me if I couldn't live with grandma it was sad my mom didn't

My grandma actually called CPS on my stepfamily and that didn't actually result in being no contact. Which still surprises me. Nothing was done by CPS despite them saying my dad and stepmom needed parenting classes and warning if I kept getting hurt I'd be removed. They made the threat but did not follow through.

Then came a day where we were all at grandma's house. I was 11 at the time and my stepsiblings would have been 13, 14, 16 and 17 and one of them shoved me really hard because I wanted to sit in the only free chair and it was next to them. Grandma went off on them which set my stepmom off. Then dad defended his wife and stepkids.

And it all came to a stop because grandma called my stepsiblings little monsters who shouldn't be allowed around other kids because they liked beating them up. Grandma refused to apologize and as my dad and stepmom were forcing us all to leave (which mean forcing me to leave) grandma said they were all monsters and she told dad he was not coming back from that moment.

My dad and stepmom stopped me from seeing grandma for years. I only got back in touch with her a week before I moved out. They called the police and tried to drag me back and accused my grandma of abusing my stepsiblings but I got to stay and no charges came from any of the accusations.

Back to today. When grandma died she had a strong will in place. She left my dad $100. That was the minimum she could leave him so he couldn't sue for the rest, which she gave to me. I got grandma's house, which was my dad's childhood family home, I got the rest of her money, her and grandpa's sentimental possessions and she had some investments too.

My dad tried to go after it saying as her only child he should get everything but her will stopped it. She left nothing to his wife or her kids. So then they started contacting me, at first through lawyers and then on socials, saying I should be dividing it evenly and giving dad what he deserves.

Then shaming me for accepting it when she excluded

Inheritance can ignite family fires, especially when trust’s already ash. The Reddit user’s windfall—his grandma’s home and wealth—came with a clear message: he was her chosen heir, not his dad, who’d failed him. That $100 bequest was a legal jab, ensuring dad couldn’t contest the will, but the user’s “monsters” retort, mirroring his grandma’s words, poured fuel on a decades-old blaze. His dad’s push for a share feels less like family love and more like grasping at what he lost.

This mess taps a deeper issue: estrangement’s lasting sting. A 2021 study from the Journal of Family Issues found 27% of adult children cut contact with parents over unresolved trauma, often tied to neglect or favoritism (source: wiley.com). The user’s childhood—marked by stepfamily bullying and parental inaction—fits that mold. His grandma’s will wasn’t just generosity; it was her shield for him against a family that let him down.

Psychologist Dr. Joshua Coleman, an expert on family estrangement, says, “Reconciliation requires accountability, not entitlement” (source: drjoshuacoleman.com). Coleman’s view frames the user’s stance—accepting the inheritance honors his grandma’s wishes, while his sharp words reflect pain, not spite. Dad’s demands, ignoring years of harm, dodge the accountability needed to mend anything.

The user’s best move is holding firm—secure the estate, maybe with cameras or legal help if harassment persists. Therapy could unpack his hurt, but sharing the inheritance would betray his grandma’s trust. Dad and stepfamily need to face their past, not his wallet, to earn any bridge back.

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

Reddit’s posse dove into this inheritance clash like it’s a family reunion gone wild, slinging cheers and warnings with equal heat. Picture a backyard barbecue, folks picking sides—most fist-bumping the user’s resolve, some nodding at his grandma’s savvy. Here’s the unfiltered buzz from the comments, packed with fire and a dash of grit:

cowandspoon − NTA. Your grandma is a star, and your Dad is indeed a monster. Don’t give an inch, do not be intimidated - you are an adult and he has no power over you. Your grandma made it so that you got everything - those are her wishes - so ensure it’s kept that way. Your Dad is entitled to nothing.

Sweet-Interview5620 − Please get the lawyer that handled the will to send them a cease and desist letter and state that if they contact you again they will be charged for harassment.

Yes they want the money but having to face criminal charges and possibly be sued usually stops it. Also with all the proof of their harassment I’d be getting the lawyer or police to apply for a restraining order against them as well. Please talk to the lawyer lots can be done.

KLG999 − First, I’m sorry for your loss. You have done absolutely nothing wrong. It was your grandmother’s estate and she decided what to do with it. They made it crystal clear how you fit into their “family”. None of those people deserve anything from you. If you give them a penny, they will bleed you dry.

But I would immediately make sure you have plenty of security cameras around the house. Unless you know the last time the locks were changed, change them just in case. You may also want to talk to your lawyer to see if you can have some type of cease and desist letter sent. If they escalate, see if you qualify for a restraining order

Finally, FREEZE YOUR CREDIT and make sure any accounts he may be aware of are moved. He certainly has enough info on you to cause damage. You shouldn’t have had the childhood you did. Grandma was trying to make sure the rest of your life will be better. Keep doing her proud.

Scarletwreen − Your grandma knew exactly what she was doing when she wrote that will, and it sounds like she was the only real parent you ever had. Your dad and stepfamily treated you like absolute garbage for years, and they’re only crawling out of the woodwork now that there’s money involved? Please.

You don’t owe them a single penny, and honestly, calling them monsters sounds pretty accurate based on what you went through. They didn’t care about “family” when they were letting you get bullied and abused, so why should you care about their feelings now?

It might make things more dramatic, but you finally have some security and a home that’s actually yours, thanks to your grandma. Don’t let their guilt trips work on you. They made their bed, now they can lie in it. You deserve all of it.

[Reddit User] − Nta. Dont be fool and fall for their words again. Your dad step mom and kids all were pathetic. Kids didn't have to love u, but they were old enough not to mistreat u . Poor u . It was 4 kids vs 1. Resentful step siblings who didn't want new people and you became the easy target.

As they couldn't attack your dad. Your dad knew you were outnumbered and still went for it. What a selfish p**ck! Step mom never cared for u and ur dad was pussy whipped. Instead of protecting you. He just wanted you to shutup. Your grandma left u so much. U will never need to buy a house.

I think money is enough to cover many things in life and student loans if any. Half of your future life is sorted. Live your life and hopefully find people who love u. I m sure u r smart enough . I also believe step grandparents are anyways not obliged to leave anything for step grandchildren because their children decided to marry.

Cut full contact with the monster family. When ur dad in in death bed and none of step monsters will take care of him. He will realize. If any of known family friends and relatives ask u to be bigger person. Write big post on you sm explaining everything that happened to you. It will shut all of them for good. My only question is , why are you still in contact? I won't even entertain such people anymore

Eemeraldskye − Nah, dude, they sound like actual monsters, your grandma knew what was up. You’re good for accepting what she wanted for you.

DaToxicRider − NTA go find a new family that will treat you right. Even if that family is only made up of your closest friends.

chrestomancy − NTA. You don't have siblings. They made that clear.. You don't have a step mom. That would have required her being a mother to you.. You don't have a dad. He chose his d**k over you. So you're the only one left in your family. No need to share to strangers, particularly strangers who beat and bully children.

Sparklingwine23 − NTA, they basically cut off contact with your grandma so why would they expect to get a share of her estate? Block them all and live like a boss.

Raffeall − NTA.. Sorry to hear that you have had such a tough time with these people.. I’d suggest you stop thinking of them as family as it seems they never acted like family.. It was your dad’s responsibility to look after you. It’s not your responsibility to look after him.. Keep your house and stop speaking with them or thinking about them.. Live the best life you can and be grateful for your grandma looking out for you

Redditors crowned the user a survivor standing tall, though a few winked that “monsters” hit the nail square. These takes swing from fierce loyalty to sharp quips, proving this tale’s got teeth. It’s Reddit at its rawest—bold, brash, and all-in.

This Reddit saga spins a heavy tale of loyalty and long-buried pain. The user’s choice to keep his grandma’s gift—and call out his dad—wasn’t about greed; it was a nod to the one who saw his worth. Maybe his words stirred trouble, but they echoed truth. This story nudges us to ponder family, forgiveness, and what we owe those who hurt us. Ever faced a will that split kin apart? Share your take below—what’s your read on this inheritance standoff?

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