Stepsister Throws Fit After Being Disinherited by Terminally Ill OP

This is one of the most heartbreaking stories we’ve ever read.

A 28-year-old woman is planning her will as she faces a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis. When her stepsister, who once wished her a “painful death,” found out she was excluded, she flew into a rage.

Now, read the full, devastating story:

This is gut-wrenching. The OP is facing an unimaginable reality with clarity, grace, and even a bit of dark humor (“I had always wanted to write a will”). To be 28 and writing your final testament is a tragedy.

To have that process, one of the last bits of control she has, interrupted by someone screaming about money is beyond comprehension. Her stepsister’s reaction is horrifying. The focus here shouldn’t be on the sister’s entitlement, but on the OP’s peace. She deserves peace.

This story is about boundaries, control, and the tragedy of a life cut short. The OP’s diagnosis is a brutal one. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously aggressive.

The American Cancer Society reports that for all stages combined, the 5-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just 13%. The OP’s situation is a terrible reality for too many, and her decision to seek medically assisted death is a deeply personal one aimed at finding dignity in an undignified disease.

In her final months, she is trying to find meaning and exert control over her legacy. Her stepsister, Lily, isn’t just asking for money. She is trying to force her way into a narrative where she had already become a villain.

That line, “hoping I would die a painful death,” is something that cannot be uncrossed. For Lily to now show up, furious about being excluded from the will, proves her concern was never for the OP, only for her assets.

This isn’t about family, it’s about dignity. Dr. Barton Goldsmith, writing for Psychology Today, puts it plainly when discussing estate planning. “One of the most important things to remember when you are creating your will is that it is your will. You are the only person who gets to decide who gets what.”

The OP’s decision isn’t “heartless.” It’s a rational response to someone who showed her profound cruelty. Lily’s anger isn’t grief for her dying stepsister, it’s anger about money. The OP owes her nothing, least of all a “reward” for wishing her harm.

Here is how the Reddit community responded:

Many users, including one who lost their husband to the same disease, offered urgent legal advice: make the will “ironclad” so the stepsister can’t contest it.

The vast majority of people were horrified by the stepsister’s entitlement, pointing out that she wished the OP a painful death and now wants her money.

A few commenters gently set the will aside and focused on the OP’s emotional well-being, encouraging her to do whatever brings her peace in the time she has left.

Some users were confused, wondering how Lily even found out the contents of a private will. (The OP later clarified this in an edit).

How to Navigate This Impossible Situation

First, to the OP, we are so deeply sorry. You are not the [bad guy]. You are a person in an impossible situation, and you deserve peace, dignity, and control over your own life and legacy.

The advice from the comments is sound. Please, speak to your lawyer and make your will ironclad. Specifically mentioning Lily with a token amount (like $1) and a “no-contest clause” is a common legal strategy to prevent a will from being challenged. This ensures your final wishes are protected.

More importantly, you do not owe anyone your time or energy right now. You are not obligated to see her, speak to her, or explain yourself. You have every right to block her and anyone else who causes you stress.

Surround yourself with the people you love, like the cousin who taught you chemistry and the people at the orphanage. Your only “job” right now is to find as much comfort and peace as you can.

The Reddit community has spoken with one voice: The OP is NTA. This is a story of profound entitlement crashing against an even more profound tragedy.

We wish the OP nothing but peace and comfort. What do you think of the stepsister’s reaction? What’s the best way to support someone at the end of their life?