A 10-year-old Chinese boy sued his father for spending his 82,000 yuan ($11,500) red envelope savings on a wedding. The court ruled the money is the child's property, ordering full repayment, as parents cannot use gifts for personal expenses.
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A 10-year-old boy in China has drawn national attention after filing a lawsuit against his father for spending the child's Lunar New Year gift money to help pay for his second wedding.
The unusual dispute highlights growing awareness of children's property rights in China and has sparked widespread debate online.
Savings from Years of New Year Gifts
Like many children across China, the boy had received red envelopes, or "hongbao," during Lunar New Year celebrations for several years. These envelopes traditionally contain money given by relatives and family friends as a symbol of good luck and blessings for the new year.
Rather than spending the money, the boy and his family chose to save it. His father helped deposit the gifts into a bank account set up for the child. Over time, the savings grew to about 82,000 yuan (around US$11,500) including interest.
Family Changes Lead to Dispute
The boy's parents later divorced, and he initially continued living with his father. Not long after the separation, the father remarried.
When the child eventually moved to live with his mother, they discovered that the savings account had been emptied. According to court records, the father had withdrawn the entire amount and used it to cover expenses related to his second wedding.
The boy and his mother asked him to return the money, explaining that it belonged to the child and had been saved over many years. However, the father refused.
He argued that the money came from relatives within his own social circle and said he had the right to manage the funds until the boy became an adult.
Legal Action Taken
Unable to reach an agreement, the boy—represented by his mother as guardian—filed a lawsuit asking the court to order the father to return the money.
The case raised an important legal question: who actually owns the red envelope money given to children?
Court Protects Child's Property Rights
After reviewing the case, the court ruled that the money belonged to the child.
Judges explained that under Chinese civil law, gifts given to minors are considered the child's personal property. While parents or guardians may temporarily manage these assets, they are not allowed to use them for their own personal purposes.
The court noted that guardians can only spend a child's money if it directly benefits the child, such as paying for education, healthcare, or necessary living expenses.
Using the funds for a wedding celebration did not meet those conditions.
Father Ordered to Repay the Money
As a result, the court ordered the father to repay the full amount of the savings to the boy, including the interest that had accumulated in the account.
The ruling quickly became a trending topic on Chinese social media platforms. Many users expressed support for the court's decision, saying it sends an important message about protecting the financial rights of children.
Wider Discussion Online
The case has also sparked a broader discussion about how families handle children's red envelope money.
In many households, parents collect and manage these gifts for their children to prevent them from spending the money too quickly. However, legal experts say that although parents can help manage the savings, the money ultimately belongs to the child.
For this young boy, the court's decision ensures that the money he received as New Year blessings over many years will remain his for the future.
Source:https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344450/china-boy-sues-dad-taking-his-us11500-red-packet-money-cover-remarriage-expenses?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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