10-year-old boy sues father for spending Rs 10 lakh red packet savings on remarriage

The father said the money would be returned when the boy turns adult. (Image credit: (Representational Image)

• Chinese court orders dad to repay son's $11.5K red packet savings
• Boy sued after father spent his savings on remarriage ceremony
• Verdict strengthens children's property rights under Chinese law

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A 10-year-old boy in China sued his father after learning that his savings of more than $11,500, roughly Rs 10 lakh, in red packet money had been spent on his father’s remarriage ceremony.

The boy, identified as Xiaohui, had collected the money over several years during the Lunar New Year, when relatives and family friends traditionally give children red envelopes containing cash as a symbol of good wishes. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, his father had even opened a dedicated bank account to deposit the festive gifts.

However, following his parents’ divorce, Xiaohui’s father withdrew the entire amount, including the accrued interest, and used it to cover expenses for his new wedding. After Xiaohui moved in with his mother, she discovered that the savings were gone. When the child asked his father to return the money, the request was reportedly refused.

The father argued that the red packet cash came from his own social circle and was meant to be handed over to his son only once he reached adulthood. With no resolution in sight, Xiaohui filed a lawsuit.

During the proceedings, the court ruled that money given to children in red envelopes during festivals is legally considered the child’s personal property. Judges stated that while parents may manage their children’s finances to safeguard their interests, they are not permitted to use the funds for personal purposes.

The court ordered the father to repay the full 82,750 yuan, including both the principal amount and the interest. Legal experts said the verdict strengthens protections for children’s property rights under Chinese civil law, which recognises that children aged eight and above can exercise limited control over their assets.

The case triggered strong reactions online. Many social media users criticised the father for spending his son’s savings, while others questioned his decision to remarry using the child’s money. One user wrote sarcastically that using his son’s savings for a wedding showed desperation, while another argued that if the money was truly a social gift from adults, then part of it should have belonged to the child’s mother rather than being used solely by the father.