AITA for going to college and asking for the money from a trust fund after my dad spent it because I previously said I wasn’t interested in college?

Picture a young adult, fresh out of high school, diving into a job instead of college, certain it’s their path. Years later, at 26, they snag a scholarship and a company perk to fund a degree—only to learn their $50,000 trust fund, meant for education until age 30, was given to their half-sister because they once said “no” to college. Their dad, now scrambling with a loan to repay it, and his furious wife cry foul, but the student stands firm.

This Reddit saga is a sharp clash of family trust and legal rights. Was claiming the trust fund a fair demand, or a selfish blow to a well-meaning dad? It’s a story that crackles with betrayal, ambition, and the weight of a grandmother’s wish.

‘AITA for going to college and asking for the money from a trust fund after my dad spent it because I previously said I wasn’t interested in college?’

This Reddit post lays bare a fight over a trust fund’s fate and a family’s fairness. Here’s the story, unfiltered:

This family feud is a stark lesson in fiduciary duty and foresight. The trust, set by the grandmother, explicitly gave each child until age 30 to use $50,000 for education, a legal directive the father ignored by reallocating the funds without consent. His assumption, based on a casual chat when the person was 20, doesn’t justify bypassing the trust’s terms, risking their educational opportunity.

Estate attorney Lisa Fialco notes, “Trustees must adhere to a trust’s terms; misallocation is a breach, often requiring repayment” (Source). A 2023 study in Trusts & Estates Journal found that 48% of trust disputes arise from premature distribution errors (Source). The father’s loan to rectify his mistake acknowledges his error, but his wife’s anger misplaces blame—the sister’s debt-free graduation isn’t the person’s fault.

The person’s demand was legally sound, though a pre-college check with their dad might’ve softened the shock. “Communicate intent early,” Fialco advises. They should focus on their studies, while the father and sister address any repayment tensions. The wife’s fury is irrelevant to the trust’s intent.

Heres what people had to say to OP:

Reddit weighed in with takes as bold as a bursar’s bill. Here’s what the crowd had to say:

These Reddit opinions are as sharp as a tuition invoice, but do they miss the father’s good intentions gone awry?

This story is a potent mix of ambition, betrayal, and legal lines. The person’s claim to their trust fund honored their grandmother’s wish, but it cost their dad a loan and family peace. Could a clearer talk years ago have spared the drama, or was the father’s choice a theft? What would you do if your inheritance vanished without notice? Share your thoughts—have you ever fought for what was legally yours?