My Ex Demands the Business I Inherited — But I’m Not Giving It Back
A man who inherited his father-in-law’s car shop is being pressured to return it after divorcing his cheating wife, sparking a heated AITA debate over legacy, loyalty, and ownership.
A man inherited his late father-in-law’s auto shop, built it into a thriving business, then divorced the daughter who cheated — and now the family wants the business back.
The Backstory and Early Dynamics
He wasn’t just a son-in-law; he was the apprentice.
At 15, he started working at his girlfriend’s dad’s garage. While her siblings pursued prestigious careers in law and medicine, he spent years learning the trade, building skills, and eventually becoming the only logical heir to the shop.
The father-in-law formalized the business transfer before passing away.
No objections, no drama — the family accepted it at the time.
The Moment Things Shifted
Years later, everything unraveled.His wife had an affair with a co-worker.
In their at-fault divorce state, he proved infidelity — meaning he kept the house, assets, and owed zero alimony or child support.
That’s when her family suddenly changed their tune about the shop.
To them, it wasn’t his inheritance anymore — it was their father’s legacy that should return to “the family.”
The Final Confrontation
They demanded he hand the business over.
He refused — calmly and legally.
The business was transferred properly.
The paperwork is iron-clad.
He rebuilt, expanded, and poured years of work into it.
Why give it back now that it’s successful?
The Fallout
The ex-wife’s family went from demanding to pleading.
They argued he no longer belonged in their family.
He countered: he wasn’t just part of the family — he became part of the legacy.
He plans to keep running the business until he retires.
What Reddit Thinks
This post would likely be 95% NTA (Not the A-hole).
Sample reactions:
“You inherited the business before divorce, worked there for years, and her family only cares now because she lost everything in court. You’re NTA.”
“Funny how they didn’t ask for it back when you were married — only when she cheated and lost.”
“If it was truly about legacy, one of their doctor/lawyer kids would have taken it. You earned it.”
A Final Thought
Is family “legacy” defined by blood — or by the person who actually builds, sustains, and protects it?
