Q: My stepdad just broke my Xbox and my mom sold my other one, both of which I bought, do they need to pay for a new one
A:
Yes, your parents should be responsible for replacing the Xbox consoles that you personally purchased and owned, which they broke and sold without your consent. Here are a few key reasons why:
• If a minor child buys property with their own money, they are the lawful owner. Parents do not have the right to intentionally damage or sell those belongings without consequence.
• Causing intentional damage to property that belongs to someone else typically constitutes vandalism or property destruction, even by a parent. They would be liable to replace the broken Xbox at minimum.
• Selling someone else's property without their permission is illegal, even for parents with minors. This is conversion of property, and they would owe the value of the sold console.
• As a minor living in their home, you have important personal property rights protecting items you rightfully own or acquire. Parents must replace items they improperly interfere with.
Overall, you have a very strong case to demand they reimburse you to buy replacement Xbox consoles to make you whole again. The value should match what they originally cost you. This teaches important principles about respecting property rights. You may need to involve another trusted adult or law enforcement if they refuse.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.