Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 15:21     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:Buy him a cheap studio apartment. That’s it. He’s got a roof. He can get food stamps on his own.


Might not be the solution you think it is. We gave one of my siblings a house and he lost it within a very short period of time for non payment of taxes. Even on a cheap house or apartment, taxes can be high.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 15:03     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:I've seen a few posts about ftl children in their 20s, but does anyone have a ftl sibling over 50? If they live with or off of a parent and there is no money tree in the backyard what happens when the parent(s) passes?
DH's brother currently lives with their mother. Father passed 3 years ago. She is in ill health. He has no income, no job since c. 2010 and the one he had wasn't the kind that offered a 401k. What happens when shen she dies? Whatever monthly income from retirement and ss is done and his cut of any remaining savings is it. They are not the type to sit down and talk and plan and confront. I'm horrified at the thought of a man child 11 years older than I am, who has chosen to live like a carefree middle of the pack high schooler becoming our responsibility because he knows nothing else.
To give you the rundown, FTL-in-law:
-is the middle of 3. Oldest is a "jr" and considered the superstar child, but all that glitters is not gold. He was always on a get rich quick scheme. None ever worked, not even close. Also, I noticed pretty quickly after first meeting him that nothing was ever his fault in business or in life and he was very gossipy and judgy, something that his parents never noticed or admitted out loud. We recently found out over the years he has "borrowed" $ from his parents/mom a number of times and never paid any of it back. DH has always been disgusted the oldest bro was considered the bees knees (and imo a fraud) and ftl bro was coddled mercilessly and his parents made excuses for both of them. DH was pretty independent from a young age, has never borrowed money and held solid, legit jobs his entire life.
-has not been diagnosed with anything that prohibited him from working or living as an independent adult or being around people (he has friends and socializes), meaning he saw many doctors for many things over the years and not one has declared him with any condition or issue other than being a spoiled manbaby.
-never lacked companionship. Ladies, is it that bad out there that a jobless man who lives with his mom and her cats and has no money and a child he didn't raise nor saw = ideal boyfriend? The kicker is his gf's have had jobs and their own place and some had children! They know he does nothing or has nothing yet he had the upper hand. One from years ago even reached out to us ask what he was up to lately!
I've been told I have no poker face and was constantly asked if I was feeling okay or what was wrong whenever I saw the family and especially the girlfriend dynamic.

All that and so much more, but has anyone planned for a FTL sibling once whomever is funding them cannot anymore?


Our 88 yo neighbors 56 yo child w no job lives w them.

I wonder what that child will do…

Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 08:42     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

I had an uncle like this, my mother's brother. Lived off my grandmother, always looking to make easy money. He was an alcoholic and life of the party. Never an issue with the ladies. My father begged his MIL to cut him off but she could never do it. When she passed the burden fell to my mother. She bought him a place to live so he wouldn't be homeless and told him the rest was up to him. He was a ward of the state (he did have a physical disability that he managed to qualify for Medicaid). He eventually became very sick and did pass away. My parents kept him at arms length as I was growing up. I wish I had more to tell you or other ideas but honestly when both parents are gone, homelessness is likely the next step unless he figures out how to take care of himself suddenly.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 19:20     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have a FTL sibling turning 60. He lived with my mom for 20+ years after his divorce. He does hold an hourly wage job, but it is not enough to live independently.

Two years ago, we started planning for my mom to downsize to senior living. Part of the plan was figuring out what to do with my brother.

We sent in many applications for affordable housing for my sibling, both to rent and to own, and finally, we were able to land a very nice unit in a fairly upscale condo complex, and helped my brother move out. Think of the support akin to helping a child apply for and leave for college.

My sibling hasn't been "diagnosed" with anything, but he comes from a generation in which many health issues were not acknowledged. I suspect ADHD, anxiety, and possibly ASD, just based on the rest of the family's history, so I try to provide support with that in mind.

With his job and eventual SS, he should be able to live independently.🤞🤞

It's good that you are thinking about this now. Good luck.


Who pays for his new unit and how much?


We all agreed (mom + my other sibling) that mom would "lend" my brother the $$ to purchase this condo (less than $100k part of affordable housing program). He pays utilities + low HOA dues, which are covered by his current job, and eventually SS. The "loan" will be subtracted from my brother's share of mom's estate (if there is anything left to distribute when she passes).


Thank you! Seems like a happy ending so far
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 17:49     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have a FTL sibling turning 60. He lived with my mom for 20+ years after his divorce. He does hold an hourly wage job, but it is not enough to live independently.

Two years ago, we started planning for my mom to downsize to senior living. Part of the plan was figuring out what to do with my brother.

We sent in many applications for affordable housing for my sibling, both to rent and to own, and finally, we were able to land a very nice unit in a fairly upscale condo complex, and helped my brother move out. Think of the support akin to helping a child apply for and leave for college.

My sibling hasn't been "diagnosed" with anything, but he comes from a generation in which many health issues were not acknowledged. I suspect ADHD, anxiety, and possibly ASD, just based on the rest of the family's history, so I try to provide support with that in mind.

With his job and eventual SS, he should be able to live independently.🤞🤞

It's good that you are thinking about this now. Good luck.


Who pays for his new unit and how much?


We all agreed (mom + my other sibling) that mom would "lend" my brother the $$ to purchase this condo (less than $100k part of affordable housing program). He pays utilities + low HOA dues, which are covered by his current job, and eventually SS. The "loan" will be subtracted from my brother's share of mom's estate (if there is anything left to distribute when she passes).
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 17:41     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:Also why is everyone so optimistic that he’ll find another host? He’ll bring a girlfriend into the house and refuse to leave!


This and her DH will end up having to pay him to leave.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 17:24     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Buy him a cheap studio apartment. That’s it. He’s got a roof. He can get food stamps on his own.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 16:06     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on your DH and what promises his mother will make him keep. If she doesn’t leave a trust fund for him, you are not on the hook to do anything except give him his share of inheritance.
However it’s usually sentimental stuff that saddles siblings with care.
Personally if I had an in law like this and was free to act, I’d just give him his share and block any further contact. For my own sibling I’d try to secure a modest roof over their head.

Btw you may have issues with him insisting to stay in the house and blocking the sale and division of estate, while your humble DH does nothing.


Yep, this is what an older cousin of mine did to his siblings. He changed the locks on the house after the funeral and wouldn’t let anyone in and let it be known that no one was to take stuff from the house, even items that belonged to siblings that they had left there during the time the mother was in her last illness. Years later, he somehow sold the house and pocketed the proceeds, something I can’t figure out how he managed to do.

So if this would be a big problem for you, keep an eye on things after your MIL passes away.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 16:02     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:If he actually did eldercare, that makes him less of a failure. It's really, really beneficial for an elderly person to have another adult on the premises even if that person isn't very high-functioning.

He will find a woman to glom onto. But you might need legal advice to get him out of the house-- if he's a 1/3 owner but can't buy out the other brothers, I don't know what that means for getting him out.

If you think your DH will be wanting to support his brother, the best thing to do is start tying up your own household's money. Up your retirement contribution and 529s. Get some long-term CDs. Anything you can do to reduce the amount of money available.


The last paragraph is actually very solid advice I don’t see here often!
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 16:00     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:OP, what is the estate worth? Is it possible that the mom will leave the whole thing to FTL son "because he needs it more than the others?"


And maybe to the asshat golden child as well
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 15:59     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:I have a FTL sibling turning 60. He lived with my mom for 20+ years after his divorce. He does hold an hourly wage job, but it is not enough to live independently.

Two years ago, we started planning for my mom to downsize to senior living. Part of the plan was figuring out what to do with my brother.

We sent in many applications for affordable housing for my sibling, both to rent and to own, and finally, we were able to land a very nice unit in a fairly upscale condo complex, and helped my brother move out. Think of the support akin to helping a child apply for and leave for college.

My sibling hasn't been "diagnosed" with anything, but he comes from a generation in which many health issues were not acknowledged. I suspect ADHD, anxiety, and possibly ASD, just based on the rest of the family's history, so I try to provide support with that in mind.

With his job and eventual SS, he should be able to live independently.🤞🤞

It's good that you are thinking about this now. Good luck.


Who pays for his new unit and how much?
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 15:58     Subject: What to do with a FTL sibling when parent pass?

Anonymous wrote:Agreed, he'll find a woman. Fake older brother will kick him out of the house because he'll want his share of the house and clearly has no problem being an a** to people.

Though if FTL bro can get away with it, he will do everything possible to stay in the house. He'll try to guilt your DH into helping him. He knows older bro won't do squat.


POV: asshat brother to the rescue! Who knew he could be of actual use