AITA for giving the entire inheritance to my twin brother?

A woman stares down her final months, her heart steady despite a terminal brain tumor’s grim verdict, choosing to leave her hard-earned millions to her twin brother, her lifelong ally. But when her parents and younger sisters, long favored with cars and college funds, learn they’ll get nothing, their fury erupts, branding her a selfish daughter and sister, even as she prepares for her final days.

This isn’t just a will—it’s a bold final stand against a family’s entitlement. With her twin by her side, she blocks their vitriol, seeking peace in her legacy. Reddit rallies behind her, appalled by her kin’s greed. Like a vault sealed tight, her story unveils the clash of loyalty and loss, inviting us to ponder who truly deserves our life’s work.

‘AITA for giving the entire inheritance to my twin brother?’

Am I the a**hole for leaving my inheritance to only one sibling? So I (30F) made money young. I dropped out of college to model, then started my own business and made some smart decisions with stocks. So I have quite a bit of money saved, my own property owned free and clear (just pay utilities), and a couple cars. I am single and childless.

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Growing up, I was very close with my twin (30M) but not so much with my other siblings (also twins, 28F). Basically they were favored quite a bit by my parents. I took care of myself starting in high school and so did my twin. He paid his own way through college with no parental help while I built my business also on my own.

Our younger siblings did not. Our parents bought them cars in high school, paid 100% of their tuition and living expenses in college, and supported them in starting their adults lives. Both my sisters ended up in bad relationships where they had kids that the fathers eventually had nothing to do with. My parents have always given them plenty of money and support.

I just got diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. It’s inoperable and I am going to die within six months. I have made my peace with it. I opted to leave everything to my brother in my will. That was he can pay off his student loans and have a vehicle and home free and clear. I want to know he has a good life while I’m gone.

My parents and sisters found out that I’m leaving everything to him and flipped out. They accused me of favoritism and being a bad daughter, aunt, and sister. They said my parents deserved money for raising me, and that my nieces and nephews deserved my money for future expenses since their mothers couldn’t afford things like cars and college.

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Even my grandma and my uncle’s wife who I barely see messaged me on Facebook to tell me how selfish I’m being. I blocked all of them in Facebook and told my brother I only wanted him to be at my bedside while I died.. AITA for giving my inheritance solely to my brother, and for cutting my family off?

Her choice to leave everything to her twin is a powerful act of agency, rooted in their shared struggle against parental neglect. It’s not favoritism—it’s fairness, rewarding the one who stood by her. Her family’s rage, demanding shares despite their history of favoring her sisters, smacks of greed, not love, especially as she faces mortality.

A 2023 study in Journal of Family and Economic Issues found 58% of inheritance disputes stem from childhood favoritism, worsened by illness (Springer, 2023). Dr. Pauline Boss, a family dynamics expert, says, “In terminal illness, people prioritize emotional bonds over obligation, and that’s their right” (PaulineBoss.com). Her parents’ claim for “raising” her ignores their absence, and her sisters’ reliance on handouts weakens their case.

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Their harassment, even from distant relatives, prioritizes cash over her peace, unlike her brother’s quiet loyalty. Cutting contact was a sane boundary, but her will needs legal armor. Reddit’s push for nominal bequests to block contests is savvy.

She should lock her will with an estate lawyer, possibly leaving $1 to each relative to thwart challenges (Nolo.com). A trust for her nieces’ education could help them without empowering her sisters. Cherishing her final days with her twin, maybe through a shared memory like a quiet dinner, honors their bond.

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Here’s how people reacted to the post:

Reddit’s dishing out some real talk on this inheritance showdown, with sassy support and a side of shade—grab a front-row seat!

HavePlushieWillTalk − NTA but maybe see a solicitor to make sure your will is incontestable. You don't want your poor brother trying to mourn you while a bunch of vultures steal everything not nailed down or specified in the will. I am sorry for your situation and I hope that you have only the people who love you around for your remaining time.

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Apprehensive-Mess-97 − NTA - it’s your money, your choice. Your brother may decide to help out your nieces but that’s his choice and not theirs. I would talk with your brother though because I’d be worried your family will try and gaslight him into giving them a portion of the inheritance. I hope, for your sake, this can be sorted out and you can get some peace. EDIT: I’d leave them each $1 so they can’t contest the will.

[Reddit User] − NTA- it’s your money, I’d go over with a inheritance lawyer to close any loopholes that the family could take. Make sure you tell him not to let “family” members coax or scam him into giving them $.. Example: Pretending to love him/be friends after his death because he got $

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[Reddit User] − NTA, you built everything from the ground up, and it sounds like you have a much closer relationship with your brother. I would advise that you leave the rest of your family a small amount, because if they are left out entirely they could have the option of claiming you 'forgot' to include them and go to court for it. But you should speak with a lawyer or legal adviser about this, because I'm neither of those things.

NJ2CAthrowaway − NTA. Holy. S**t. You are literally dying and they are angry about your money. F**k every last one of them.

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Vast_Lecture − NTA: I'm sorry but the lack of compassion and just the amount of n**cissism from your parents are ridiculous. You raised yourself. They did not raise you. They did not be good parents. Your siblings need to figure out their lives themselves. They made their decisions so live with them. Edit: Wrong vote. Accidentally wrote YTA first

bergermeyer − NTA. It’s your money. Your choice. They should be focused more on spending your last few months making memories instead of being AHs about it.

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Lissftw − Part of me is praying you're a troll, cause wtf is wrong with your family? Your are absolutely 100% NTA. You can do with your estate as your wish. Maybe modify your will and leave your parents, sisters and nephews/nieces a small amount so they cannot contest your will.

I am so sorry about your prognosis. It is such a horrible card you have been dealt. Please do not let your family shroud the precious time you have left. You are an amazing person for looking out for your twin. Please focus on that.

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SillyCdnMum − NTA at all!! Wow, your family is f'ed up. You don't have to leave them anything!! Pay back your parents for raising you??? Seriously??? WTF! I agree that consulting your lawyer to make sure there are no loop holes is a good idea. If you feel so inclined to include your nieces/nephews, invest in their education so your sisters can't touch it. ;)

[Reddit User] − NTA at all. First off , I am so sorry that you are going through this. Depending on what country/province/state you are in, they may be able to contest the contents of the will. This would then cost your brother an exorbitant amount of money in lawyer fees and such.

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To avoid this , you can add them into the will to receive something. It can be a single dollar or a fork. A magazine that's been in your recycling for a month. It doesn't matter, as long as it is an identifiable item that you own.

This way they can't contest the will and your brother gets the lions share as you have it written. This may not be accurate for where you are located but I would suggest that you speak to your lawyer to double check. I wish you a happy and safe last few months.

These are Reddit’s juiciest takes, but do they nail the heart of legacy and love?

This saga of a dying woman’s will and her family’s cash grab is a gut-punch lesson in choosing love over obligation. Reddit cheers her fierce loyalty to her twin, roasting her kin’s shameless greed. It’s a reminder that our final acts define us—hers scream courage. Facing your own end, who’d get your legacy, and why? Drop your thoughts below—let’s dive into this raw family dra

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