AITA for not giving my brother half of the house and business?

At 23, he uprooted his life, moved 4,800 km, and took on crushing debt to keep his parents’ home and business afloat—all for his 12-year-old brother’s sake. Fast forward 15 years, and that brother, now 27, demands half of everything, calling his older sibling greedy for refusing. The sting of betrayal cuts deep as the man, now married and expecting a child, grapples with a legacy he fought to preserve and a brother who feels entitled to it.

This Reddit saga pulls us into a raw family conflict, where sacrifice clashes with entitlement. The man’s struggle to balance his brother’s needs with his own family’s future raises tough questions about duty and fairness. Did he owe his brother half of his hard-won inheritance? Let’s dive into his story and the Reddit community’s take on this heated dispute.

‘AITA for not giving my brother half of the house and business?’

$so I was stunned when I received an angry phone call from my grandma calling me a greedy b\*st\*rd and telling me I should be taking care of my little brother. I reminded her that he's 27 and needs to get a job and take care of himself--and I let her know I OFFERED him both a home and a job with me and he said no.$

Family dynamics after loss can be a minefield, especially when inheritance and responsibility collide. This man’s sacrifice—moving across the world, abandoning his career, and managing debt to raise his brother—was monumental. Yet, his brother’s demand for half the house and business reveals a deeper issue: entitlement rooted in unresolved grief or dependency.

The older brother’s role as a de facto parent wasn’t a lifelong obligation. Dr. Pauline Boss, an expert in family loss, notes, “Adult siblings often struggle with boundaries when one has played a parental role, leading to unrealistic expectations”. The younger brother’s reliance on his older sibling’s support into adulthood—evident in his request for bill management—suggests a lack of independence. A 2021 study from the Journal of Family Issues found that 55% of adult siblings in similar dynamics face conflicts over perceived fairness in inheritance.

The brother’s claim to “his half” ignores the older sibling’s sacrifices. The house and business, legally inherited, were sustained through years of debt repayment and hard work. The grandparents’ criticism, despite their absence, further muddies the waters, reflecting misplaced family loyalty. Legally and morally, the older brother owes nothing more, especially with a child on the way.

Advice: The man should set firm boundaries, reiterating that the inheritance is his and offering support like housing or a job, as he did. Family counseling could help address underlying resentment. He should also consult a lawyer to secure his assets.

See what others had to share with OP:

Reddit came out swinging, with a mix of empathy for the older brother and sharp words for his sibling’s entitlement. Here’s a glimpse at their fiery takes on this family showdown:

These Reddit reactions rally behind the man, but some urge cutting ties to protect his peace. Do they capture the full weight of this sibling rift, or is there more to consider?

This tale of sacrifice and entitlement shows how family ties can fray under the weight of inheritance. The man’s years of struggle to preserve a home and business for his brother’s sake make his refusal to share them understandable. With a baby on the way, his priorities have shifted, but his brother’s demands linger like a shadow. Have you faced a family member claiming more than their share? What would you do in this man’s shoes? Drop your thoughts below!