Providence, RI asked in Personal Injury, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Rhode Island

Q: My mother in law constantly puts her mitts on things that don't belong to her in an area deemed as a private area.

My mother lives in an area that is shared with my mother in law's things, but was given a clear division line for "her room". These spaces share a common door, however, every time we leave the house, my mother in law enters my mom's space, moves things around that do not belong to her, and removes things that are not hers. My mother does not touch anything that does not belong to her, but has repeatedly requested that her things be left alone. My mother in law says "it's in her house, she can do what she wants". Recourse? She has done it to me too. She snoops through our things ( my mother's too).

1 Lawyer Answer
Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
Answered
  • PROVIDENCE, RI
  • Licensed in Rhode Island

A: Your remedies will depend on whether she is a guest or a tenant. If she is a guest, you might ask her to leave if she continues this behavior you find unacceptable. If she is a tenant, you may have to file a formal eviction.

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