<prompt> Human: We have a fairly uncommon scenario, so Im having trouble finding advice online.My mother-in-law was the primary breadwinner for 30 years, owns a very lucrative small business, and had a disabled husband. He was previously the primary breadwinner until irresponsible behavior made him disabled, and she had to become the primary breadwinner while still taking care of the house and kids because thats womens work. He never worked, despite being able, because he was a broken man. After 30 years of what became clear abuse, she finally got fed up and divorced him. Because hes disabled, the divorce process would have favored him heavily if he had lawyered up, and so that he wouldnt she made him a very generous offer and payment. The basics are:- 50 ownership of 80 acres of land where he currently lives in a camper- 50 ownership of a family cabin passed down in family, but she paid a lot to have it completely rebuilt some years back- A million dollars- An annual income alimony of something like 150,000Now, barely a month past the divorce being final, he finds out he has a life-threatening aneurysm, multiple tumors not yet confirmed cancerous, but one is very probable, and kidney cysts. Between his regiment of prescription opiates, pot use, and alcohol, he could never tell if he had legitimate pain or wasnt feeling well, and he avoided doctors as much as possible, and he does absolutely nothing to take care of his health, so he never knew he was in such poor condition. Everyone expected him not to last long, due to his lifestyle and general health, but the turnaround between signing away assets to him in divorce and potential mortality are ridiculously short. Were waiting on multiple medical tests to find out the prognosis, and my SO is both very stressed and ambivalent over the possibility of a greatly disliked parents possible death, but were both of one mind in that the money belongs to her. As we understand the contents of his will, my SO and SOs sibling will equally inherit from him. I dont think the mother-in-law would want us to give her back the share of the cabin property, but we cant in good conscience keep the money she earned. If mother-in-law wants SO to inherit when she dies, then thats perfectly fine.They live in Texas, we live in Texas, the 80 acres is in Texas, the cabin property is in Arkansas.Is there a way to give this money back to her without a massive tax penalty? Are there other things we can do with this money that might be to her benefit? Im not entirely sure, but I believe both jointly owned properties are fully paid off, otherwise I would suggest putting the money toward that. Also, will this fuck up our taxes? Were currently living in a small house on 1 income of 50,000 while our son is small. Were 30.  <response>: Ask her what she wants. If shes paying 150kyear in alimony, I expect she wont care. Plus, based on the numbers it wouldnt surprise me at all if shes over the 5.whatever million tax exempt estate size. So you keeping the money could help when she dies. 