The original post: /r/amitheasshole by /u/Jeebussaves on 2025-06-26 23:18:49.
So my mom recently died. We all knew she was dying as she was suffering from cancer that was getting worse by the day. Anyway, she had nothing. She lived paycheck to paycheck off of social security and barely survived off of it. Therefore, when she died, I figured there was nothing for me or my brother and I was fine with that. I knew she had a $12,000 life insurance policy that was to pay off her cremation and the small ceremony and burial expenses I guess they’re called?
Anyway that’s all I thought there was. I was way wrong and found out just by happenstance though my aunt that there was a $15,000 IRA which my brother was named the beneficiary for and another $5,000+ in her bank account at her time of death. I was told that my brother was told to split the $15,000 with me and that I wasn’t a beneficiary because I had a stroke several years ago and am not in charge of my own money. So anyway I just found out (months later) after contacting my brother that he spent the money. All of it because he was in the rears on his mortgage and a few other bills.
I was honestly so shocked and upset at the fact that everything had been hidden from me that I wasn’t even mad. I’m still not. I was completely devastated and upset and thought that I had lost my brother. When he explained to me that he needed it I kinda just said ok. I mean, I would have given it to him anyway. Now this is where it comes in that I may be the asshole- I have an 11 month old and we are far from being ok right now, money wise. But I think my mom would literally come back from the dead if I fight with my brother over money. And seriously, I just don’t value money like that. I really don’t give a shit that he took it. I hate money and think it tears people apart and I don’t want it to tear apart my brother and I. Unfortunately everyone else in my extended family thinks I need to go after him and try to get the money for my immediate family. They think I’m doing a disservice to my immediate family by doing nothing. So Reddit am I the asshole if I do nothing?