AITA for cutting off my family over my mom’s will?
A Redditor (F33) is grappling with whether they are in the wrong for cutting off their family over their mother’s will, which favors their sister (F30). Growing up, they felt overlooked and second best, especially compared to their sister, who received preferential treatment.
The situation worsened when their mother left the family business and childhood home to their sister, sidelining the Redditor despite their lifelong connection to the flower shop. After years of estrangement, their sister reached out to rekindle their relationship, but the Redditor declined. They now feel that their sister and mother no longer deserve a place in their life. Are they being too harsh, or have they made the right choice for their own well-being?
‘AITA for cutting off my family over my mom’s will?’
Dr. Susan Whitmore, a clinical psychologist specializing in family estrangement, explains that going no-contact with family is never an easy decision, but sometimes it’s necessary for mental well-being.
“When a family dynamic is built on favoritism and neglect, the person who was mistreated may eventually need to walk away for their own emotional health. OP’s decision wasn’t impulsive—it was the result of years of being undervalued. Her mother’s will simply confirmed what she already knew: she wasn’t considered an equal member of the family.”
Dr. Whitmore also notes that OP’s sister’s reaction is telling. “Instead of apologizing for the past, she immediately made herself the victim. She didn’t acknowledge OP’s pain or ask how she could make amends—she just demanded to know how OP could do this to her.”
Finally, Dr. Whitmore emphasizes that forgiveness is personal. “Reconnecting is a choice, not an obligation. If OP feels that opening the door to her sister would bring more pain than healing, she has every right to maintain the boundaries she set.”
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
Reddit users overwhelmingly sided with OP, agreeing that she owed her family nothing.
She spent years being treated as second-best, and when it came time for her mother to divide her legacy, she was once again disregarded. Her sister benefited from this dynamic and never spoke up in OP’s defense. Now, OP has built a life free from the pain of her past. If she doesn’t want to reopen old wounds, she has every right to keep her distance.
While forgiveness can be healing, it’s not owed—especially when the people who wronged you refuse to acknowledge their mistakes. OP’s sister made her choice when she accepted their mother’s favoritism without question. Now, OP is making hers. What do you think? Should OP give her sister another chance, or is she right to keep the past in the past? Let us know in the comments!
