His Rich Wife Refuses To Support His Elderly Parents. Is She Right?

The original poster (OP), a 47-year-old husband, turned to an online forum with his frustrations about his wife not pitching in to financially support his parents. Although he agrees it is not her responsibility, she makes significantly more money than he does.

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He didn’t understand her refusal, reasoning, or the hostility or shock he received from the forum. What do you think?

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OP believes his wife, who makes more money than he does, should help support his parents in retirement. His Dad has Parkinson’s and is in declining health, while his mom, as a caregiver, has challenges taking care of him.

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The couple splits their finances equitably, with his wife paying 70% to his 30% share. While his wife makes (£400K aftertax, in UK pounds) or ten times more than his £40K compensation, OP explained that they settled on this split, saying, “We do this as she picks up most of the housework and childcare, and she has taken that into account when splitting the bills.”

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Her parents immigrated to the UK, sacrificing so she and her sisters could succeed. His wife and her sisters all have very high-paying jobs, one working in tech and the other being a surgeon.

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Meanwhile, his parents had government jobs with pensions. His sister lives on benefits and is a single mom. They are a relatively low-income family.

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His wife did help his younger sister when she became a single mother at a young age by offering her a secretary job at her office. However, he said, “My sister quit after a month as she found it too difficult.”

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OP told his wife that his parents were retired, like hers, and could use her help. His wife told him his parents were his responsibility, and he should give them money from his salary if he could afford it.

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His Rich Wife Refuses To Support His Elderly Parents. Is She Right?

FINANCIALLY SUPPORT

The original poster (OP), a 47-year-old husband, turned to an online forum with his frustrations about his wife not pitching in to financially support his parents. Although he agrees it is not her responsibility, she makes significantly more money than he does.

He didn’t understand her refusal, reasoning, or the hostility or shock he received from the forum. What do you think?

OP believes his wife, who makes more money than he does, should help support his parents in retirement. His Dad has Parkinson’s and is in declining health, while his mom, as a caregiver, has challenges taking care of him.

Husband Wants His Wife To Support His Parents

Their Finances Significantly Differ But Are Split Proportionally

Her parents immigrated to the UK, sacrificing so she and her sisters could succeed. His wife and her sisters all have very high-paying jobs, one working in tech and the other being a surgeon.

Her Family Are Better Off Financially

Meanwhile, his parents had government jobs with pensions. His sister lives on benefits and is a single mom. They are a relatively low-income family.

His Family Is Less Financially Secure

His wife did help his younger sister when she became a single mother at a young age by offering her a secretary job at her office. However, he said, “My sister quit after a month as she found it too difficult.”

OP’s Young Sister Is A Single Mom Without A Job

OP told his wife that his parents were retired, like hers, and could use her help. His wife told him his parents were his responsibility, and he should give them money from his salary if he could afford it.

Should His Wife Help Support His Parents?

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