I Put My Dad’s Widow Out of the House — It’s Not a Free Hotel

 

Inheritance issues can get messy quickly. After Daphne’s dad passed and left her the house, she asked her stepmother to either pay rent or move out. When her stepmother refused, she evicted her. But what seemed simple took a surprising turn when an unexpected twist came to light, leaving Daphne confused and looking for advice.This is Daphne’s letter:Dad died and left me his small house. I asked his wife to pay rent with the $10k he left her, or she could go live with her son. She refused, saying, “How dare you?

I lived here for 18 years!” So,

I evicted her. A year passed, and I didn’t hear from her. Yesterday, she called, demanding to see me. I went; my blood ran cold when I found out that the new, small apartment she was living in was bought by my dad. She said he used the rest of his savings to buy it for her before he died, so she’d have a safe place if she was ever kicked out. She signed a deal saying the flat would goto me after she passed if she stayed in the house she shared with my dad. But if she was forced to leave, she could give it to anyone-and now, she’s leaving it to her son. After the shock faded, I felt furious.Inheritance issues can get messy quickly. After Daphne’s dad passed and left her the house, she asked her stepmother to either pay rent or move out. When her stepmother refused, she evicted her. But what seemed simple took a surprising turn when an unexpected twist came to light, leaving Daphne confused and looking for advice. This is Daphne’s letter:Dad died and left me his small house. I asked his wife to pay rent with the $10k he left her, or she could go live with her son. She refused, saying, “How dare you?I evicted her. A year passed, and I didn’t hear from her. Yesterday, she called, demanding to see me. I went; my blood ran cold when I found out that the new, small apartment she was living in was bought by my dad. She said he used the rest of his savings to buy it for her before he died, so she’d have a safe place if she was ever kicked out. She signed a deal saying the flat would goto me after she passed if she stayed in the house she shared with my dad. But if she was forced to leave, she could give it to anyone-and now, she’s leaving it to her son. After the shock faded, I felt furious.All I did was protect my rights. My stepmother had money, so she could have paid; the house is not a free hotel. The worst part is that I’ve been lied to: I had no idea about this apartment, and I feel betrayed that the property my dad paid for is going to her son instead of me. What should I do?– Daphne