Woman Admits She’s Waiting for Her Inheritance to Finally Leave Her Husband: “I’ve Been Over This Marriage for 8 Years”

CHICAGO — A woman’s raw confession about waiting for her inheritance to leave her husband has gone viral — sparking debate about love, loyalty, and financial independence in struggling marriages.

Posting to Reddit’s relationship forum, the unnamed woman said she’s been married for 10 years but has been “emotionally done” for nearly eight.”

“Ideally, I would love to stay with my husband and enjoy our lives and grow old together,” she wrote. “But honestly, the only reason I’ve stayed for the past eight years is because of our kids — and because I really can’t afford to leave.”

‘I Do Everything — I’m Not Going to Be His Slave Forever’

The woman described a daily routine that left her burned out and emotionally exhausted, saying she shoulders nearly all parenting and household duties.

“I take care of the kids 90% of the time. I am 100% responsible for all cooking — I make a homemade dinner every night and a big breakfast every weekend,” she wrote. “I get up with the kids, fix breakfast, make lunches, feed the animals, take them to school, work all day, come home, clean, do laundry, cook, and go to bed.”

While both partners work full-time and earn similar incomes, she said they “never seem to have money.”

The emotional connection, she added, has long disappeared.

“We have zero to do with each other. Haven’t been on a date in years, don’t cuddle, don’t hold hands, don’t really even talk,” she said. “Like I said, I’d love to grow old together — but I’m not going to be his slave forever.”

She also noted that her husband, though a “great dad,” had continued smoking cigarettes and marijuana despite promising to quit after having children — a long-standing source of resentment.

The Turning Point: A Life-Changing Inheritance

The woman revealed that her escape plan hinges on a significant inheritance she’s set to receive soon.

“I’ve always known I would have a significant inheritance, but we’ve put things in motion for that to happen before my parents pass,” she explained. “Basically, I’ll be getting enough money, a vacation home, and some small self-run businesses — enough that I can finally afford to leave.”

According to her post, her husband already knows about her decision and is aware that she plans to separate once the assets are transferred.

Still, she turned to Reddit to ask: Is it wrong to plan her exit around the inheritance?

AITA for leaving my husband after I get my inheritance??
byu/No-Relative-6500 inAITAH

Commenters Support Her — But Warn About Legal Risks

The internet quickly rallied around her, with many users encouraging her to protect herself financially before any inheritance changes hands.

“NTA [Not The A**hole], but get that divorce done first,” one commenter wrote. “That way he can’t challenge for any part of your pre-inheritance. You deserve a life that you love.”

Others warned her that if her parents gift the money or property before she’s legally divorced, her husband could potentially claim part of it.

“If it’s a true inheritance, even if it happens during your marriage, it stays yours — as long as you don’t co-mingle the assets,” another person noted. “But if your parents are gifting it early, it gets tricky. Divorce first, then talk to an estate lawyer.”

Financial experts also weighed in through replies, pointing out the tax implications and ownership complexities that can arise when property or business assets transfer during marriage.

Love, Money, and Emotional Survival

While some critics accused her of being “calculating,” most commenters sympathized, saying her decision reflected emotional survival, not greed.

One user summarized the sentiment:

“You’ve already been living like a single mom — just without the freedom. Get your life back.”

As the discussion continued to trend, the story struck a chord with readers facing similar dilemmas — trapped in unhappy relationships by finances, children, or fear of starting over.

Whether readers viewed her plan as strategic or cold, one thing was clear: she’s not alone in feeling stuck.

What do you think — is she justified for waiting until her inheritance, or should she have left years ago? Join the discussion now at NapervilleLocal.com.