I’m Not Giving Money to My Late Husband’s Affair Child

The burden of betrayal, mixed with the complexities of inheritance and responsibility, can be almost overwhelming. This is the reality for a woman who, after losing her husband, now faces an unexpected and painful dilemma.

She shared her story: her husband passed away nearly three years ago, leaving her to raise their 8-year-old child alone. Since his death, she’s uncovered secrets that would have ended their marriage if he were still alive. About six weeks ago, a process server arrived with a court order for her late husband to submit DNA for a paternity test. She handed him a copy of the death certificate and sent him on his way.

Not long after, a woman showed up at her door with a child, claiming he was her husband’s son. Whether or not that’s true, she doesn’t know—and she doesn’t care. The boy looks like him and is young enough that he must have been conceived shortly before her husband’s death. She informed the woman of his passing and directed her to his grave. Almost immediately, this woman began demanding ‘her half’ of the estate. The widow couldn’t help but laugh and told her that half of nothing was nothing, and she was welcome to it.

Now, where some might see her as heartless is that, while there was no estate, there were assets that bypassed probate. One of those was a rental property that her late husband’s parents had gifted to them as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. When he died, ownership transferred solely to her. She has since sold it, planning to use the proceeds for her child’s education.

Legally, she’s in the clear; she’s already consulted her attorney. While she feels sympathy for the child, her priority remains her own. Supporters on her side argue:
“You did nothing wrong. There are scams like this all the time. If you still have any paperwork, check to see if it was legitimate.”
“Tell her he died with loads of debt, and you’re happy to transfer half of that her way.”
“Focus on your child’s future. The property was yours legally, and there’s no proof your late husband was this boy’s father.”

Other voices echoed the sentiment:
“Unless she can prove paternity, you owe her nothing. Even if he is the father, the property is legally yours.”
“Don’t let her back into your life. If she persists, get a restraining order. If you’re ever served with real legal papers, lawyer up.”
“This is between her and your late husband. You owe her nothing. Why wait three years to come forward?”

While the moral implications of her decision may invite debate, it underscores a universal truth: moving forward sometimes requires making hard, personal choices.