AM I A BAD PERSON FOR NOT GIVING MY BROTHER A PORTION OF MY INHERITANCE?
I desperately need advice.
My neighbors across the road were an independent elderly couple who couldn’t manage strenuous tasks like shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, or gardening. The husband had been battling a rare muscle disease since his teenage years, and the wife had grown frail.
Every time it snowed or they needed their lawn mowed, or anything else, I would do my best to help them. My brother rarely ever helped.
The old couple would try to pay me, but I constantly turned them down. Then they started inviting me inside their house. That’s when I discovered that my neighbor was a coin collector. I asked about his coins, and he was surprised that someone as young as me would be interested in collecting coins. It became a routine for him to tell me about his new coins.
At one point, he told me I would inherit his entire coin collection when he passed. I felt honored and didn’t know what to say! I told my mother, and she was confused but believed me and was happy.
Fast forward to about two months ago, the old man died. I was instantly shocked and sad. My mom, on the other hand, was excited. She asked questions like, “When are you getting the collection?” and “What are you going to do with it?” This gave me a weird feeling, but I thought nothing of it.
Eventually, I did receive his collection, and it was estimated to be worth around $50K-$100K! I was astonished! I told my parents I was going to sort through it all and keep the more valuable coins for myself, saving them for later in life, and selling duplicates or less valuable coins. My mom would jokingly say, “Maybe you should start paying some rent, haha,” and make odd comments suggesting I should contribute more to the household. My dad disagreed, saying I should save these for my education and future.
Over the next few months, my mom would look through my collection, eyeing the expensive pieces, and ask, “Are you giving some to your brother?” I said I would share some of it, but not a large portion, as he didn’t help nearly as much, and I had a bond with the old man. My mom didn’t like this response. She called me “greedy” and told my dad behind my back, “That boy is selfish; he always has been.” I’ll admit I’ve been a bit stingy with money in the past, but I’ve never been extremely selfish. I always offer to help my family and even suggested that part of my paychecks go towards house upgrades in the future. Am I wrong here?
