'AITA for not wanting to give my late husband's grandparents a share of his life insurance?'

The Internet is siding with a widow and mother of two who refused to hand over part of her late husband's life insurance payout to his distant grandparents.

The emotional dilemma was posted by original poster (OP), on Reddit’s "Am I The Ahole"** forum, where it quickly gained traction.

AITA for keeping my late husband’s life insurance instead of giving it to his grandparents?

In the Reddit post titled "AITA for refusing to give my grandparents my late husband’s life insurance payout?", OP shared how her husband died suddenly last year, leaving her and their two young children (6M, 4F) devastated.

She explained, "My (35F) husband passed away suddenly last year, leaving me and our two kids (6M, 4F) completely heartbroken. He had a life insurance policy that paid out a significant sum, and while it doesnt make up for our loss, it has given us financial security."

Thankfully, her late husband had a life insurance policy that paid out a significant sum, providing much-needed financial security for their grieving family. However, a few months ago, her in-laws approached her with a request.

"A few months ago, my in laws approached me with a request: they want me to give a portion of the money to my late husbands grandparents (his moms parents). Their reasoning is that they are struggling financially, and my husband would have wanted to help them."

While OP expressed sympathy for their financial struggles, she pointed out a key detail that they were never close.

"I do feel bad for them, but the thing is that they never really had a strong relationship with us. They didnt even come to our wedding, claiming it was too far, even though they travel for vacations all the time. They never made much effort to be in our childrens lives either. And now, they suddenly think they are entitled to the money my husband left for his family which, in my mind, means our kids and me."

OP’s mother-in-law (MIL) has been relentless, calling OP selfish for refusing to help her elderly parents.

The OP wrote, "My MIL has been calling me selfish, saying they are elderly and struggling, and that I should honor my husbands memory by helping them. But I feel like this money was meant for our childrens future. Its not like Im hoarding it, Ive set up college funds and am ensuring were stable. AITA?"

MIL insists that OP should honor her husband’s memory by giving them financial support, but OP firmly believes that her priority is her children’s stability. Now, the OP is left wondering, if she is wrong for refusing to give in to her in-laws’ demands?

Internet supports widow refusing to give in-laws life insurance payout

Reddit overwhelmingly sided with OP, declaring her NTA (Not The A**hole).

One user stated bluntly, "NTA - Your husbands parents are free to help out if they want. You have just gone through a horrible tragedy, and are dealing with a lot of uncertainty. You don't know what the future will bring, and you need to provide for your kids first."

Another top comment agreed, "Exactly. Tell them if they need money to quit travelling. Don’t give them one penny. NTA."

Another user wrote, "NTA. Your husband made you the beneficiary of his insurance policy, not them. The money was awarded to you, not them. If they think they deserve some money, tell them to contest the beneficiary payout. They will lose. The bottom line is you have some money and they want some of it. Someone is selfish and it’s not you."

"NTA. That money was meant to support you and your kids, not extended family who made little effort to be in your lives. Your responsibility is to your children’s future, not to people who suddenly show interest when money is involved. Don’t let guilt trips sway you, you’re making the right choice," a user said.

One user lamented, "NTA—your in-laws can help if they want, but you’ve been through a tragedy and need to put your kids first. You don’t know what the future holds, and that’s completely understandable."

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