AITA for asking to be named the sole beneficiary in my dad’s insurance policy?

Shirley Stafford Hours
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Reddit’s community backed the teen, seeing their hesitation as a smart move against a risky financial burden. Many pointed out that the bank’s requirement for a co-signer signals doubts about the father’s ability to repay, despite his success. The teen’s request for insurance protection was viewed as reasonable, given the father’s risky lifestyle and the stepmom’s unclear role.

Others criticized the father’s anger and the aunt’s dismissal, suggesting they might co-sign if they trust him so much. The consensus urged the teen to avoid the loan entirely, emphasizing that their youth and inexperience make them an unfair target for such a burden. It’s a call to prioritize personal security over family pressure.

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‘AITA for asking to be named the sole beneficiary in my dad’s insurance policy?’

A few weeks ago my dad came to me and asked me to co sign a loan for him. Goes without saying it’s pretty huge sum and I’m even surprised that the bank agreed to give out such a large loan given his age (47M).

I didn’t think much of it and I went to the bank yesterday to sign it with him and it was then that I learned that in the case that my dad is unable to pay back the loan or god for it something happens to him, I would be responsible for paying it back (yes I have no idea about financial terms) which would take years and would mean that I’d have to downsize by a lot.

After learning that new information I told my dad that I had idea what I meant to co sign and if he could give me a day to figure it out. He was visibly irritated but said nothing and reassured me that he would pay it back just need someone to co-sign.

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So i don’t have any doubts about his ability to pay it back because he is a very successful man who has a stable job but he is the risk taking type and I don’t mean investment risks. He’s a literal adrenaline j**kie and does many dangerous things on a monthly basis.

Because of this I called my dad and asked him to make the sole beneficiary of his insurance policy or to at least add a clause that states that his insurance payout will be divided once the loan has been deducted from his assets in the case of his death.

The reason I want this to change is because his current beneficiary is step mum and I do not trust her with this at all. She’s never shown any signs of ill intent but I just don’t trust her because to her, her family comes first and the fact that her and us are not family is one of the few boundaries we’ve set up much earlier on which has worked out great so far.

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I didn’t say that was the reason I want it changed is cuz if that to my dad tho. My dad got pretty mad after hearing this and called me a greedy brat for wanting him gone and to take everything for myself. I explained that adding clause would only mean that whatever is left to repay of the loan and that he could give the rest anyone.

He hung up after that and my aunt (who’s always been the most responsible one in the family) called me and said that it’s “d**k move” to ask to be the sole beneficiary and that I should see how it makes me look.

I explained to her that I have him the option to add the said clause and she still took my dad’s side saying that’s not something family does and that my dad has done so much for me to say to just co-signing a simple loan.

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My aunt has always been pretty impartial so I don’t think that she’s taking sides just because he’s her brother but I genuinely don’t see how this is an unreasonable request. So AITA?

Navigating family and finances is like walking a tightrope, and this teen’s hesitation to co-sign a loan shows sharp instincts. Learning they’d be liable for a massive debt if their thrill-seeking father couldn’t pay flipped a simple favor into a high-stakes gamble. Their request to be the sole beneficiary of Dad’s insurance or add a protective clause was a bid for security, not greed, but it unleashed family backlash.

The father’s reaction—calling them a “greedy brat”—and the aunt’s criticism reveal a clash of perspectives. The teen sees a real risk, given Dad’s dangerous hobbies and the stepmom’s priority for her own family. Financial advisor Suze Orman warns, “Co-signing a loan means you’re 100% responsible if the borrower fails” . The bank’s need for a co-signer suggests doubts about Dad’s credit, amplifying the teen’s caution.

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This reflects a broader issue: young adults facing parental financial pressure. A 2023 NerdWallet survey found 29% of Gen Z feel obligated to support family financially . The teen’s youth and lack of credit history make them especially vulnerable. Refusing to co-sign or seeking legal advice could protect their future.

For now, the teen should stand firm, perhaps consulting a financial advisor . Open dialogue with Dad about his plans to repay the loan might ease tension, but boundaries are key. Their instinct to prioritize self-protection is a lesson in balancing family love with financial sense.

Check out how the community responded:

Reddit’s community backed the teen, seeing their hesitation as a smart move against a risky financial burden. Many pointed out that the bank’s requirement for a co-signer signals doubts about the father’s ability to repay, despite his success. The teen’s request for insurance protection was viewed as reasonable, given the father’s risky lifestyle and the stepmom’s unclear role.

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Others criticized the father’s anger and the aunt’s dismissal, suggesting they might co-sign if they trust him so much. The consensus urged the teen to avoid the loan entirely, emphasizing that their youth and inexperience make them an unfair target for such a burden. It’s a call to prioritize personal security over family pressure.

Savings-Breath-9118 − NTA but Your dad is an out and out liar. If he’s that successful, he wouldn’t need 47,000 lone to be cosigned. He would have collateral to put it up

TassieBorn − NTA But consider this: the bank wants a co-signer because they aren't confident your dad will pay back the loan. If they aren't confident, why should you be?. Never co-sign for a loan you aren't willing and able to pay back by yourself.

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porkypandas − NTA. The nosy nancys can cosign his loan.. But also, 47 is not that old for a large loan lol

Library306 − NTA. You are certain that he is able to pay off the loan but the bank is not. They would not ask for a cosigner otherwise. You may want to rethink doing this especially considering his reaction to a pretty reasonable request.

Suz9006 − Just do not co-sign. He could cancel the insurance policy at any time and you would get nothing. He could secretly change the beneficiary and you would get nothing. He could default on the loan and you would lose everything. He either had bad credit or is greatly in debt already. Don’t get yourself mixed up in his mess.

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InfamousCup7097 − Awesome, it looks like your aunt just volunteered to cosign the loan for your dad. You're off the hook. Your ask was reasonable. Don't cosign anything. Nta

Grand_Alternative639 − Just checked your history.... You only JUST turned 18 -- barely an adult with likely no credit history of your own... And your supposedly successful father with a history of risk taking *needs* *you* to co-sign a 500k loan for him?.

For what purpose??. (Speculating about a gambling addiction or Financial crimes?) Definitely Not the AH! If these grown-ups want to play risky games with their finances, tell them to leave you out of it!

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YaketyMax − NTA - Let your stepmom or aunt co-sign the loan.

MarionberryPlus8474 − NTA your dad is asking for you to take on a huge risk. Why is his credit not good enough to get the loan on his own? It really isn’t normal for parents in their 40’s to ask for their children to co-sign loans for them.

This feels like you are being set up to be taken advantage of, and the fact that your dad got pissed when you wanted to take time to actually understand the implications of this is more bad news.

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Even if your dad does pay it, it’s going to take time, and it will be on your credit for years. You probably won’t be able to get a loan for yourself—for a car or a mortgage, for example,

WeirdnessWalking − NTA, don't co-sign. Have aunt man up.

This loan dispute lays bare the tension between family loyalty and financial caution. The teen’s bold stand to protect themselves from a risky loan, despite family backlash, highlights the weight of unexpected responsibility. It’s a reminder that love shouldn’t mean risking your future. Have you ever faced pressure to take on a family member’s financial burden? Share your stories below—let’s keep the conversation going.

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