A Gen Z woman has been backed online for her decision to keep her late grandmother's jewelry collection, despite claims from a cousin that the items were "verbally promised" to her.
The 24-year-old posted on Reddit and wrote that her grandma explicitly left her the jewelry collection in her will. Newsweek reached out to u/justmamacita via Reddit. We could not verify details of the case.
The two had a close relationship, often spending weekends together trying on the heirloom pieces. However, her cousin Emma, 28, said that the jewelry was promised to her during family events when she modeled the items.
"She's even told everyone that my grandmother's decision must have been a mistake or made under pressure," u/justmamacita wrote in her post.
Despite having no mention in the will, Emma demanded the original poster to hand over the jewelry to honor their grandmother during a phone call between the two cousins—something Emma said was her "real wish."
"The family is now divided, with some saying I should just give Emma a few pieces to keep the peace, and others telling me to hold my ground because the will was clear," the poster wrote.
Torn between not wanting to cause family drama and being assured that her grandmother was intentional with her decision to leave the jewelry to her, the poster has turned to internet users for advice.
At the time of writing, the woman's post has gained more than 9,200 upvotes and almost 1,000 comments.
Many Reddit users were in support of the 24-year-old, saying that her grandmother's will was the final word. "She may have made that promise years ago, but she changed her mind, but she specifically made sure it was in her will who gets them. They're all yours," one wrote.
Another said that the poster could give Emma a couple of pieces that aren't her favorites from the collection: "But that is only out of the goodness of your heart." Many others advised she buy a safety deposit box in case any of her family goes looking for the sought-after jewelry.
Newsweek spoke to Jenny Ray, a partner at DMH Stallard Law, who said that it is the sentimental value as opposed to the financial value that tends to lie behind family disputes.
"The will determines whether the division of chattels [personal possessions] may be left to the discretion of the executors or may include specific legacies gifting items to named beneficiaries. This is commonly done with jewelry, which will have enormous sentimental as well as financial value," Ray said.
In this case, the poster has legal grounds to retain the jewelry, as her grandmother's will explicitly named her as the beneficiary. Ray added that, while verbal promises or "letters of wishes" may include intent, they are not legally binding, unless explicitly stated in the will.
Executors, however, have a legal obligation to ensure the will is followed. "If someone other than the executors have misappropriated estate property, the executors have a duty to consider taking legal action to recover the property," Ray said.
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