Bit of a hypothetical question here.
I know that in the event if a divorce, the woman obviously has her jewellery and if it was in the safe keeping of her in-laws then it should be returned to her.
What is the position if the in-laws have ‘stolen’ it and pawned it off and then deny it was ever in their care?
What remedy, if any, does the aggrieved wife have as there is no substantial proof?
Thank you x
Re: The wife's jewellery
In the scenario that you just described, the aggrieved wife doesn't have much in her favour. Now if she had some written proof of exactly how much jewelry she owned then it could have helped. Maybe she should involve someone who has influence over her in laws? But if they are so pathetic that they stole it, or kept it with them and lied that they don't have it. Then obviously that shows their complete lack of morals and that kind of people aren't going to be affected much by anything you say to them.
Re: The wife's jewellery
I'm old enough to take care of my jewelry on my own. I personally think it's naive to allow someone you don't know that well to be in charge of such a responsibilty...though my own mother trusted my dada with keeping her jewelry in the bank for her and he never tampered with that trust. If the in-laws create a huge stink over it...then ALLS they're getting is the jewelry they gave. Anything my family gave me...stays with me. At least..one should keep what came from their own family. As Silver said above...do you have any written evidence such as receipts? I dunno...would the jewelry store have a record? Where did the in-laws store the jewelry? In their bank....is there any way that the bank would have some record of the value of things placed in the safe, a log of when items were removed from the safe, etc? I don't know if that would help...just guessing here.
Re: The wife's jewellery
I have never quite understood why some families make a such over the bride keeping her own jewelry. If you thought she is incapable of taking care of something so 'precious' then don't give it to her at all. But if you have given it to her already, you have absolutely no right to even ask to keep it safe. If she herself wants you to do it, that's fine. But why demand/expect to be the 'keepers'?
Some people say, "Oh in case she gives it to her family...sells it blah blah". So what? Haven't you given it to her? Let her treat it the way she wants. If she loses it, it's her loss. And I am pretty sure most women are smart enough to take care of their possessions. Enough said.
Re: The wife's jewellery
^I dunno....maybe such in-laws only give jewelry to their DILS to show off on the wedding day.....to show the world what they gave and how much of it. Who knows? A few months ago, a guppan created a thread about her MIL pressuring her to hand over even the jewelry that HER parents had given her. That's really pushing it. As I said before....if the in-laws are going to create a tamasha over it....then only give them what they gave you. Keep whatever your own family gave you.