In an unusual lawsuit, a 10-year-old boy in China hauled his father to court after the latter allegedly stole his angpau money to cover wedding expenses.
The boy, simply known as Xiaohui, hails from Zhengzhou, China, and had been living with his father since his parents’ divorce two years ago.
Lost all of angpau money
According to South China Morning Post, Xiaohui amassed a total of over 80,000 yuan (approx. RM45,400) in angpau money after several years.
The money was then deposited into a bank account opened specifically for him by his father.
When Xiaohui’s father remarried, he was sent to live with his biological mother.
Later, she discovered that her ex-husband had withdrawn 82,750 yuan (RM47,000), including principal and interest, and spent it on his wedding expenses without Xiaohui’s permission.
Sues dad
When Xiaohui demanded his father to return him the money, the latter refused and argued that the money had been given by relatives and friends from his own social circle.
He also claimed that the money was intended to be given when Xiaohui became an adult.
Left with no choice, Xiaohui sued his father.
Court sides with 10yo
The court eventually ruled that the angpau money legally belonged to Xiaohui as his personal property.
It also said that Xiaohui’s father had infringed Xiaohui’s property rights by withdrawing and using the funds without permission.
Xiaohui’s father was also ordered to return all of the 82,750 yuan to his son immediately.
Under the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China, “lucky money” given to children during festive occasions is considered a gift and legally belongs to the child.
Although parents are allowed to manage the money, they are forbidden from using it for their personal expenses.
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