When my father passed away, he left me his house and gave his wife—my stepmother—$10,000 in cash. As the legal owner, I asked her to start paying rent or consider moving in with her son. I didn’t think it was unfair. She had lived rent-free for years, and now things had changed.
But she was furious. “This was my home too. Shame on you!” she snapped. Still, she refused to pay anything. I gave her time—but eventually, I had no choice. I served her an eviction notice.
She left quietly. Years passed, and I heard nothing from her—until yesterday.
Out of the blue, she called and asked to meet. I agreed, hesitantly. When we sat down, she revealed something that left me frozen.
Before my father died, he secretly used the remainder of his savings to purchase a small apartment for her. He wanted her to have a safe place to go if she was ever forced out of the house. The shock didn’t stop there.
She pulled out a legal agreement he had drawn up before his death. It stated that if she stayed in the family house until her death, the apartment would revert to me. But if she was ever removed or evicted, she could choose who inherited it.
And now—because I evicted her—she’s leaving it to her son.
I was stunned. Furious. I followed the law and upheld my rights. I never meant to push her into hardship, especially knowing she had enough money to contribute. But now, my father’s hidden plan—meant to protect both of us—has backfired.
He never told me about the apartment. Never warned me about the conditions. I feel blindsided and betrayed. The property he paid for will go to someone who wasn’t even in his will.
Now I Ask…
Was I wrong to protect what was legally mine? Or was I tricked by silence and sentiment?
– Rebecca
