This could be kinda long, just so you know.
I found out to day that my grandfather's estate is gonna be auctioned off on July 10.
Around I was about 2 or three, my grandfather (whos name was John) divorced my grandmother. Well actually, she divorced him. Turns out he was a bit adulterous. At the same time, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. She fought as long as she could but she died when I was five. John never visited her in the hospital or at my house (that I've ever heard about). I understand that he went to the funeral but didn't even say anything to my father or the rest of my family. He never met me. APparantly my father tried to get him to but he wanted nothing to do with me (I guess, I mean, I never met him).
Well, last year he died and didn't leave a will. I was named as one of the benefactors because I'm 21 and the only child of his daughter (my mother). Turns out that he owned a fair amount of farmland in Michigan and also a decent sized house with a couple of nice cars. My Uncle has been made cheif executer of the estate and is putting it up for auction. He's said that he's happy to give me a far share of the money (It won't be as much as you think. Because there is no will, quite a hunk of it will go to the lawyers. Figures, right?).
I can't help but shake this guilty feeling I have at taking the money. I never met this man. He apparently washed his hands of his former family, including me. I just feel...wrong I guess, for taking this money. But on the other hand, I could really use this money. I need money for school (what student doesn't?) esp. since I'm gonna have to get my own place (my parents are moving a couple hours away from my school).
I've talked about it with my Dad and he feels I should take it. He says, that while its not the main cause, his callousness towards my mother probably agrivated her condition. He would know; he spent every second he could with her in the hospital.
So I've come here, and elsewhere, for advice. What would you do? Take the money and tell yourself you deserve it? Or don't accept the bastard's money?
I found out to day that my grandfather's estate is gonna be auctioned off on July 10.
Around I was about 2 or three, my grandfather (whos name was John) divorced my grandmother. Well actually, she divorced him. Turns out he was a bit adulterous. At the same time, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. She fought as long as she could but she died when I was five. John never visited her in the hospital or at my house (that I've ever heard about). I understand that he went to the funeral but didn't even say anything to my father or the rest of my family. He never met me. APparantly my father tried to get him to but he wanted nothing to do with me (I guess, I mean, I never met him).
Well, last year he died and didn't leave a will. I was named as one of the benefactors because I'm 21 and the only child of his daughter (my mother). Turns out that he owned a fair amount of farmland in Michigan and also a decent sized house with a couple of nice cars. My Uncle has been made cheif executer of the estate and is putting it up for auction. He's said that he's happy to give me a far share of the money (It won't be as much as you think. Because there is no will, quite a hunk of it will go to the lawyers. Figures, right?).
I can't help but shake this guilty feeling I have at taking the money. I never met this man. He apparently washed his hands of his former family, including me. I just feel...wrong I guess, for taking this money. But on the other hand, I could really use this money. I need money for school (what student doesn't?) esp. since I'm gonna have to get my own place (my parents are moving a couple hours away from my school).
I've talked about it with my Dad and he feels I should take it. He says, that while its not the main cause, his callousness towards my mother probably agrivated her condition. He would know; he spent every second he could with her in the hospital.
So I've come here, and elsewhere, for advice. What would you do? Take the money and tell yourself you deserve it? Or don't accept the bastard's money?
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