Family of a Lottery Winner Got Mad After He Denied Sharing His Winnings with Them
It's a once-in-a-lifetime event; you better be smart about it when it finally happens.
A lottery win can turn a quiet family conversation into a full-blown argument fast. For one Redditor, that happened after he and his wife hit the jackpot and started planning how to use the money responsibly.
The couple usually bought tickets just for fun, but this time the prize was real. After taxes, OP mapped out a plan that would let them retire early and avoid blowing through the winnings, then he told his family. Instead of celebrating, they started acting like the money was already theirs.
Now OP is standing his ground while his relatives push back hard, and the fallout is getting messier by the minute. Read on.
OP started the post with this
Grand_Signature-4590OP and his wife are regulars at buying lottery tickets. It was all for fun until one day they actually won.
Grand_Signature-4590OP was well-versed enough in finance that they continued with the money in a sustainable fashion.
Grand_Signature-4590
The family immediately felt entitled to his money rather than being happy that he had a great plan for their funds, avoiding the fate of previous lottery winners who go broke.
Grand_Signature-4590
This is where the family started making assumptions.
If OP's family thinks that their reactions are justified, Redditors shared their own opinions about the issue.
lelawes
They asked OP about the situation with his family since many of them wouldn't hesitate to spoil their parents and siblings a little.
Grand-Signature-4590
And it was suspicious, to say the least.
SilverQueenBee
If they chose to leave OP, their chances of getting what they wanted in the first place would be non-existent.
Littleballoffur22
OP's answer about his family situation justifies why he didn't want to share their wealth, other than using it for their plan.
coatisabrownishcolor
That answer only made the comments more pointed.
There are Redditors who offered to explain the significance of OP's winnings.
funklab
And how his family is blinded by the collective amount rather than thinking about its longevity.
funklab
They might even abandon OP the moment the money runs out.
PhDTeacher
The fact that OP made the plan so they wouldn't go broke instantly, since it isn't unlimited money, is something the family can't grasp.
BionicBananas
Continuation of the comment.
BionicBananas
Some commenters kept circling back to the same point.
This feels like the fight with a struggling sister over lottery money, except it gets personal fast.
It's also not their obligation when they have clear plans for their own lives and the family isn't as close.
Mysterious-System680
Redditors shared what they would do if they won the lottery.
NUT-me-SHELL
Most would prefer to remain anonymous when they win.
TheShadowKnows23
There are laws, though, that prevent someone from doing that.
LadyGrassLake
There is something you can do to surpass this if you hit the jackpot.
loki2002
OP provided what his state requires.
Grand-Signature-4590
Even with that extra detail, the verdict did not change.
If OP felt bad, here's an internet aunt sharing virtual warmth and love.
Super-Snouter
After reading OP's extra information, Redditors agree that he is not the a**hole.
Jaggedrain
Demanding is entirely different from asking for help.
latents
The family could've even done something in their favor, but they instead demanded right off the bat.
latents
But even then, the family might not accept that circumstance until they have everything they want.
Steamedfrog
Family can matter a lot, but entitlement changes the tone quickly.
You might want to build wealth and live a comfortable life. If you've won it, then the money is yours to do with as you please.
Do you think OP was wrong in this situation? Share your answers in the comments.
That lottery win came with a lot more drama than OP expected.
Mad about being pressured to split winnings? Read why this AITA user refused struggling parents.
