A man finds himself torn between honoring his family's legacy and his love for city life. Inheriting the majority share of his family's farm, he faces backlash from his wife for wanting to forfeit most of it to his dedicated younger brother.

I (36M) grew up on a big farm that my family has owned for generations.
Much to my parents' detriment, I hated farm life from a very young age. I never liked dirt or grime, and farm animals were not my thing either.
So, to no one’s surprise, I left the farm when I turned 18 and never looked back.
I currently live in a big city. I still love my family very much and visit the farm from time to time, but I am always the happiest when I return to my urban lifestyle.
My mother passed away three years ago, and two months ago I unexpectedly lost my father due to a work accident. This left my younger brother Tom (30M) and me as the sole beneficiaries of their estate.
I didn’t expect to be left with much since my folks helped me out financially more than enough times while they were still alive. I honestly only wanted a couple of family trinkets and heirlooms to keep as keepsakes. But, to my surprise, as my brother and I sat down with the attorney to discuss our father’s will, we discovered that I was left with the majority of the farm (about 75%) while Tom was left with the rest.
The only reason I can fathom behind this decision is that unlike Tom, I have two children (10M and 7F), so maybe that’s why I was given the larger share? I’m not entirely sure since my children had their own inheritance in the will.
Either way, this split of inheritance was ridiculous since, unlike me, Tom actually lived on the farm and dedicated his entire life to working on it alongside our parents.
I saw that Tom was shaken up by the decision, so I reassured him that I found it absurd as well and I didn’t mind forfeiting the land to him. Tom said I didn’t have to do that, but I insisted. After some back and forth on the topic, we mutually agreed to settle this between ourselves at a later date when everything would be transferred under our names as our parents intended.
I recently informed my wife Jules (35F) of my decision regarding my inheritance and she is furious with me for wanting to give most of it up.
She is arguing that my decision is impulsive and shortsighted since the farmland is worth a fortune and I am just giving it away without a second thought.
I told her that the land is worth a fortune only for those who actually intend on doing something with it, and since I neither intend to sell it nor farm on it, it is effectively useless to me.
Jules continued to say that it might be useless to me, but I should think about our children who might one day want to start farming. I told her in that case I would transfer only half of the land to Tom, so our children could have a quarter of the land at their disposal in the hypothetical scenario they get into farming one day.
Jules is now not speaking with me until I reconsider my decision. I need to hear some unbiased opinions to see if I am in the wrong here.

The general sentiment in the comments is overwhelmingly supportive of the man's decision, with most commenters agreeing that he is not at fault. Many people commend him for wanting to do right by his brother, who has dedicated his life to farming, while others criticize his wife for potentially being driven by greed and seeing the land's monetary value rather than its sentimental and practical worth. The most common judgment is that the man is making a fair and thoughtful decision, suggesting that a 50/50 split or retaining a small portion for his children, as he mentioned, is a reasonable compromise. Several commenters suggest legal solutions to ensure the farm remains a family asset while also addressing the wife's concerns about future financial security for their children. Overall, the community believes the man's actions are justified and that his wife's reaction is disproportionate and self-serving.

Among the numerous supportive comments, one particularly popular response notes, "It sounds like your wife saw a load of money slip from her fingers and she's angry rather than seeing the situation for what it is." The commenter empathizes with the man's decision to respect his brother's dedication to the farm. They argue that the scenario in which his urban-raised children suddenly develop a desire to farm is highly improbable. For those still concerned about potential future interests, the commenter agrees that keeping a quarter portion of the land, as initially suggested, is a reasonable compromise.

Another top comment emphasizes that the inheritance is solely the man's and not his wife's. "You should do what you feel is right," the commenter asserts, describing the wife as an "asshole" for demanding more. They dismiss her argument about the children potentially wanting to farm, attributing her concerns to a smokescreen for wanting the money. Several respondents also highlight the financial impracticality of retaining the land solely for its potential monetary value, noting the costs involved in taxes and upkeep.

A third influential comment advises, "put the farm in a trust that lays out ownership in the 75%/25% manner noted." They suggest adding stipulations to protect the brother's current rights and ensure that the land remains a farming asset within the family. This strategic approach enables both the man and his brother to safeguard their interests while preventing future disputes. This comment, like many others, champions fair family relations and practical solutions that honor both the brother's labor and the man's generous intentions.

In conclusion, the overwhelming support from commenters underscores the fairness and thoughtfulness in the man's decision to relinquish the majority of the family farm to his dedicated younger brother. While his wife's reaction illuminated potential financial concerns, the community largely viewed her stance as driven by monetary aspirations rather than practical or sentimental considerations. Through their advice on possible legal arrangements and equitable solutions, the commenters highlighted the importance of preserving family harmony and making decisions that truly reflect the farm's value to those who cherish and work it. Ultimately, the man's actions exemplify a commitment to doing what is right by his brother and respecting the agricultural legacy of their family.