I’m 28 years old and I want to become the legal guardian for my 10-year-old half-brother. He’s currently in foster care after his mother passed away 3 years ago. My family is furious over what I plan to do and they have told me if I take him in, I’ll be dead to them. My mother says she’ll write me out of the will and inheritance.
For a little background, I come from money (mother was born into it; dad was self-made). My parents’ marriage was a joke. I know that divorce is very unhealthy for kids, but in the case of my brothers and I, it would’ve been mercy. Constant screaming and fighting every day. Over the stupidest and pettiest things. Then my dad began cheating, and my half-brother was born to another woman.
My parents’ marriage was a sham prior the adultery; after it, hell was set loose. My mother once attempted to murder my dad in front of us; she stabbed him the shoulder. He was a big guy (6’5 and built like a tank) so she didn’t get far. I suspect the only reason they stayed together was because of financial aspects – their money was tied together.
My mother also started cheating and let it be known to my dad (stuff like coming home and telling him “I got a good fucking.”). My dad didn’t care at all. He would just shrug his shoulders.
My half brother’s mother died in a car crash, and because he didn’t have extended family, he went into foster care. A couple years ago, certain events made me re-evaluate my life and change my perspective. This prompted me to look up my little brother.
I’ve fallen in love with him so much. He’s such a beautiful, lovely, intelligent little boy. Initially I had no plans to take him in, but after being around him for a year and getting to know him, I want to raise him. He deserves the best shot at life.
My dad passed away 5 years ago. However, my mother is furious at the thought. When I told her, she slapped me several times and threatened to cut me out of the will and inheritance (meh, growing up in that family made me realise money doesn’t guarantee happiness).
My brothers have said I’ll be dead to them if I take my half-brother in.
I’ll be honest, completely severing ties with my family will be hard, but my brother is in need. He’s the innocent person in all this. What happened between my dad and his mother, is not his fault at all. He was just born into this life; forced into this world without a say, just like everyone else. He deserves the best prospects possible.