Chennai man opens up about property dispute with parents and brother: 'They are emotionally manipulative and toxic people'

Family is supposed to be a safe space, but for one Chennai man, it feels like a battlefield. A Reddit user opened up about the toxic dynamics with his elder brother and parents, who are pressuring him to invest his own savings into a joint property arrangement for his estranged sibling. After years of emotional manipulation and repeated cycles of pressure, he’s at his wits’ end, seeking advice on how to navigate this tricky and emotionally draining family drama.

The man explained that his relationship with his elder brother is almost nonexistent, and whenever they interact, it becomes corrosive. To escape the negativity, he moved away from Chennai, hoping to distance himself from his brother’s toxic behaviour. However, his parents continue to side with the elder sibling, shielding him from any long-term consequences and enabling his actions.

The conflict centres around property: the brother purchased land in Chennai with help from their parents and wife, selling off family gold to do so. Now, the parents are pressuring him to build a house with his own savings on that land under a joint ownership arrangement. Despite making it clear that he does not want any relationship with his brother or involvement in the property, the family has continued their manipulative tactics for the past four years.

Every time he tries to reconcile with his parents, his brother’s presence reignites the pressure and emotional games. Feeling drained and with his patience running thin, he admits he sees no clear way out and is turning to the Reddit community for guidance.

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One user shared that they’ve stopped telling their family about their finances, knowing that once the family learns about their savings, they’d be dragged into expenses that could drain them over time. The Chennai man responded that the real issue isn’t money but the constant, unyielding pressure and emotional manipulation.

Others advised that moving away from the current location is wise to protect sanity and finances, even if it goes against societal expectations. Some suggested that in earlier stages, fabricating losses in investments might have helped, but at this point, the only solution may be to state one’s opinions directly, stay mentally and emotionally strong, and be prepared to stay apart if necessary. They emphasised that being firm doesn’t mean a lack of love—it’s about preventing financial exploitation by the brother.

Another perspective was to invest money in a way that makes it untouchable, accept that relationships with parents might fail, and anticipate that the brother will have all the support. Grieving the situation is natural, and it’s a reminder that many face similar struggles but keep silent because of the complexities of traditional Indian family dynamics.