His Great-Grandfather Left Him a Fortune, But the Stipulations in the Will Sparked a Family Feud That Sent His Relationship Over the Edge.

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In the surprising aftermath of an unexpected inheritance, the Original Poster (OP) grapples with the pivotal decision between using the windfall to pay off his debts or investing it into a new home, as urged by his girlfriend. A family drama ensues, and a cryptic clause in his great-grandfather’s will throws a wrench into the works. But with his relationship hanging by a thread and the whole family invested, can OP make a choice that satisfies everyone?

The Struggle

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OP and his girlfriend, both in their early thirties, lived together and shared expenses. OP worked as a bank teller, and his girlfriend worked as a waitress. Neither made a considerable salary, and they always seemed to be struggling to pay their bills.

Modest Beginnings

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Both OP and his girlfriend were raised in families that also struggled with money. OP thought he would have made more progress by this point in his life. His disappointment with his perceived failures contributed to his daily anxiety.

The Unexpected Inheritance

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When OP’s great-grandfather passed away, he left him a hefty sum of $50,000 despite their lack of a close relationship. This surprise inheritance was locked away for two years due to undisclosed legal issues. The inheritance was surrounded by considerable family drama.

The Weight of Debt

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OP was struggling under the burden of accumulated debts, including $15,000 in credit card debt, $20,000 in student loans, and a $10,000 mortgage. The inheritance suddenly opened up the possibility of becoming debt-free.

Financial Stability

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OP became excited by the idea of no longer owing any institution a dime and turning his financial situation around. After paying off all his debt, he would even be left with a few thousand dollars to start a savings account, something he’d never had enough money to do in the past.

The Carefree Life

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OP believed he would be happier and improve his overall quality of life by becoming debt-free. He believed it would be in his girlfriend’s best interest too. It would free up their earnings down the line to invest in their retirement and emergency funds and also reinvest in their education to further their careers.

A Clash of Interests

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OP’s girlfriend, seeing the sudden influx of money, had other ideas for the inheritance. She suggested they use the money as a down payment for a new house, challenging OP’s idea of debt repayment.

Home Sweet Home

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OP’s current house was bought at a bargain price of $70,000 a decade ago. Despite requiring some remodeling, OP had made it into a cozy place over the years. His attachment to the house further fueled his reluctance towards the idea of purchasing a new one.

Claiming Ownership

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OP’s girlfriend insisted that the inheritance belonged to both of them and that they should make the financial decisions together, even though the money came from OP’s family. OP staunchly maintained that the money was his alone. This difference of opinion ignited a bitter debate about ownership and their expectations of being together.

The Financial Breakdown

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Using the money to pay off his debts would allow OP to cut his monthly expenses by 70%. Since his car was paid in full last year, he would only be left with the monthly payments of food, water, electricity, and other miscellaneous costs.

Minimalist at Heart

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OP idealized the minimalist lifestyle trend that he read about on social media. He thought that by becoming debt-free, he could drastically reduce his anxiety and live a more carefree life, not having to work so hard to constantly pay off more and more debt.

The Escalating Argument

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OP’s reluctance to use the money as a down payment for a new house caused the argument to intensify. His girlfriend’s persistent insistence added strain to their relationship. As the days went on, the conflict showed no signs of resolution.

The Heated Confrontation

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One evening, a heated confrontation erupted between OP and his girlfriend. She accused him of being selfish while he defended his rights over the inheritance. Their dispute reached a breaking point, putting their relationship at risk.

Was The Boyfriend’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posted his story online for feedback. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “Even if she is your wife, your plan is solid. Get out of debt and have financial cushion instead of getting into more debt.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “Don’t ever buy a house with a girlfriend. Where is her half of the down payment so that it’s fair? That all stinks to high heavens.”

A Third View on The Story

A different person stated, “It’s your money. I think your plan is incredibly responsible and well thought out.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “I think you should stick with your plan because it’s the most fiscally logical. She sounds like a brat. She isn’t entitled to that money, not even if you were married.”