Dear Judy,
My elderly father-in-law is pretty wealthy and in very bad health. He has emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and it’s getting worse every day. He’s a really nice gentleman of the “old school” and I think he would be very shocked if he knew about his younger son, my husband’s brother. Maybe more than shocked.
Basically my brother-in-law has an ever-changing assortment of “boyfriends” who are really nothing more than male prostitutes. He pays them for their services, buys them clothes and meals in elegant restaurants, and often takes them on trips to the Bahamas or Jamacia. Sometimes they stay with him, sometimes they’re just flings, but it’s not a good situation. My husband and I have 3 kids, and needless to say they don’t visit their “Uncle Tony” ever. He comes to our house.
My father-in-law knows nothing of this. My husband has always been very tight-lipped about his brother. “Uncle Tony” stands to inherit half of my father-in-law’s estate, which I don’t think is fair. I have kids who will need to go to college eventually. We don’t spend money on frivolities, and we don’t often go on fancy vacations.
Should I tell my father-in-law about “Uncle Tony”? The poor old man thinks his younger son is simply “very picky” and will one day marry. Should I tell him what’s what?
I think he has a right to know.
Jackie
Dear Jackie,
You mean you think you have a right to inherit…
Well here’s something to ponder. Let’s say you do tell your sick father-in-law “what’s what.” And let’s say the old doesn’t appreciate the news. Or the messenger. And let’s also say he doesn’t believe a syllable of what you have to say about “Uncle Tony” or his lifestyle.
I’d bet your chances of inheritance at that point will go way down.
Think about it…
Judy
