It is tough to handle when a loved one passes away. It is also complex and emotional for those left behind. For widows, the pain can be compounded by the pressure to make decisions about the inheritance left behind.
One such widow is faced with a dilemma: should she honor her late husband’s wishes and keep the inheritance for herself, or should she share it with her in-laws despite his instructions? For the sake of her story, we’ll call her Jill.
Jill’s 32-year-old husband and soulmate was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and died less than two years later. Jill, his primary caregiver, quit her job to provide full-time care during the last ten months of his life.
As the treatment was complicated and required 24-hour care, it became too much for one individual, and Jill hired a nurse when she or his parents weren’t there. She expressed loving her husband with her entire being and considered taking care of him a top priority.
She had no job or home, as they had been living with his parents and had no family in the city. Jill confessed she had always been uncomfortable with the topic of her late husband’s will and how he intended to distribute money from his insurance policy.
However, his sister was the executor of the will and asked Jill if they wanted to give any of the money to her parents, as they were left nothing in the will. Jill declined, as she had asked him about it before his passing, and he said no.
Now, Jill feels guilty, as she loves his parents, but they understand she needs the money to get back on her feet. However, his sister believes Jill is wrong, and now Jill is unsure.