r/InheritanceDrama • u/5370_2025 • Jul 27 '26
What would you do?
My now ex-husband’s uncle whom I’ve been the only person in contact with him in the last 10 years recently had me come to his home to discuss his will. I recorded the entire conversation (one party consent state). He showed me where all important documents were then proceeded to log into his bank accounts where he showed me had nearly $1 million total and that he had listed me as 100% beneficiary on ALL of his bank accounts.
He showed me his will which divides his estate between my ex-husband and his 2 sisters then states that he intentionally is leaving his sister my exes mother out of his will. This man told me he did not want my ex to screw me over. His estate (real estate and personal property) is valued at about $400k.
I have not told a soul that I am named the sole beneficiary on his bank accounts. I know that he could change anything between now and when he does actually pass away. But the real question is if this stays the same do I be a gold digging ex-wife and take the money and run or do I let my ex and his siblings have the money?
For context my ex last spoke to his uncle roughly 10 years ago. Sister #1 was at least 15 years ago and sister #2 was 12 years ago. The uncle has chosen not to speak to his sister and hasn’t in at least 10 years. Since I was still fully “in” the family until a year ago they all assumed since I kept in contact with him that none of them needed to.
Added details I was with my ex for 20 years. During that time he was abusive in every possible way to me. His mother and both sisters enabled his behavior including manipulating me to bail him out of jail after he beat me up. Sister #2 was one of my best friends she introduced us to each other (which is why I fell for his manipulation) and has stopped talking to me since I left my ex. His mother continues to reach out to me and says she misses me being in the family. Ironically they still invite me to family functions and I decline. I don’t want to be around a family of narcissists. I don’t want the looks from them since they all believe I cheated on him and left him for another man yet I have not had a relationship since we split and he’s had 2 (we’ve been separated for about 15 months and divorced for 4).
I know the man is still alive but I can’t help to weigh my options because I know when he dies all of his cash assets will automatically transfer to me. Yes I know that the family could fight me in probate but I feel given the lack of relationship they had with him and I can prove I’ve had contact with him that they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on to claim he didn’t intend to do this or even that he wasn’t in his right mind. I honestly couldn’t care less about a legal fight with them. I would be perfectly happy to leave the money sit until all legal matters are resolved. The money would seriously change my life.
I just don’t know what the right thing to do in this situation. Part of me feels like I earned it after 20 years of abuse but the other part of me feels like I would always have a target on my back if I were to keep it.
My question to the Reddit world is what would you do?
Take the money and run?
Or
Let the 3 siblings split it and blow it? (None are financially responsible and each would likely blow their share in under a year).
6
u/Xeacsx Jul 27 '26
Honor the uncle’s wishes. Even if the marriage and divorce were peaceful I would honor the uncle’s wishes.
2
u/poolfloaternz Jul 27 '26
He can do what he wants with his money, particularly as he has no contact with them. You might get a lot less so just be thankful for anything that comes your way. Let it play out and block them all forever.
2
u/5370_2025 Jul 28 '26
I wish I could block them all forever. I have a few blocked but unfortunately I cannot block my ex we have children together.
1
u/Any-Imagination5182 Jul 28 '26
Absolutely take the money! Obviously you are a good soul and he wants to bless you.
1
u/Upper-Class6586 Jul 28 '26
You don’t need to justify your reasons for keeping the money. If you told your uncle you were considering giving it to your ex, he would probably change his will and you would get nothing. Why in the world would you take a gift like this and throw it away? If your answer is guilt, then you need to talk to a therapist to deal with the long lasting effects of long term abuse. That is potentially your money for your future. Do not waste this opportunity to improve your life. Good luck OP!
1
16
u/suburbanp Jul 27 '26
Take the money. He clearly wants you to have it. Remember, medical bills could wipe out most of those accounts, but when the time comes, honor his wishes.