Discovering your wedding dress — the one you lovingly chose and has perfectly tailored — is destroyed beyond repair is every bride’s worst nightmare. It’s arguably even worse if the cause wasn’t an accident, but the carelessness of your mother-in-law.
That’s the case shared on Reddit’s infamous JustNoMIL thread. In a post that went viral, a bride-to-be shared how her mother-in-law (MIL) intentionally destroyed her wedding dress by trying it on, forcing herself into a dress that was designed for someone with a lighter load and a trimmer silhouette.
Here’s our burning legal question: Can one sue a mother-in-law (or anyone) for ruining one’s wedding dress? Let’s discuss.
Wedding dress wreckage: Grounds for a lawsuit?
The short answer is yes. You can sue someone for damaging or destroying your property, even if that someone is family. And a wedding dress is considered personal property under the law.
The destruction of the wedding dress, whether intentionally or through negligence, falls under a tort claim, specifically for property damage or conversion (treating someone else’s property as their own without permission). If the act is proven to be intentional, as in the Redditor’s case, then the charges can rise to the level of malicious destruction of property.
So, should your MIL slash your gown in a fit of couture-fueled rage, the law offers you a way to recoup the costs.
What would you be suing for?
The bride could sue for monetary damages, including:
- The cost of the dress (including alterations, if any)
- Emotional distress (though this is harder to prove and varies by state)
- Possible punitive damages (if the court determines it a malicious act)
Are these laws the same across all states?
Not every state handles personal property lawsuits the same way. All states allow civil suits for damaged property, but rules about emotional distress, punitive damages, or how much you can recover vary from state to state.
In Washington State, you can sue a person who intentionally or recklessly destroys your personal belongings, but you’re required to show proof. You need to produce the evidence, including photos, receipts, or even the awkward family group online chat where MIL confesses to the crime.
But should you sue your mother-in-law?
Now we come to the real dilemma. Yes, you can sue, but should you?
This is where family law meets family dynamics. Suing a family member can have long-term consequences. You may get justice and a refund with a civil suit, but can you expect them to act civil toward you at the next Thanksgiving dinner? (There may not even be any future Thanksgiving dinners with the two of you around.)
If your mother-in-law’s actions constitute a discernable pattern of harassment and bad behavior toward you, then legal action may be needed to set firm boundaries between you and her, as well as to protect your mental well-being. But if the damage was a one-off meltdown, you may want to consider which is the better route to take: (1) a small claims court; or (2) a serious sit-down with her.
How can a family law attorney help?
Family law issues involving property damage, strained in-law relationships, and wedding woes are more common than you think. At LaGrandeur & Williams, we help Western Washington clients navigate:
- Domestic disputes regarding property or harassment
- Restraining orders for ongoing interference or threats
- Mediation for family conflicts (to prevent further escalation)
If you’re thinking of legal action, or if you need advice before MIL goes rogue once again, it would be wise to consult a family law attorney first. Get in touch with us.
The law and your mother-in-law
A wedding dress should be a symbol of matrimonial joy, not legal drama. But if someone, even if it’s your in-law, crosses the line from being annoying to being destructive, then the law is there to help stitch things back.
Should you need advice about family-related legal issues, get in touch with our experts at LaGrandeur & Williams. We’ll help you sort through any matrimonial, material, or MIL-induced mess.