AITA for taking my niece to court over a coat?

A Redditor is questioning if they are in the wrong for suing their 16-year-old niece over a $20,000 designer coat. The niece intentionally ruined the coat as part of an online prank involving paint-filled balloons and posted a video admitting she knew the value.

While the niece’s mother initially promised to pay for dry cleaning, she later refused to replace the coat, suggesting the user’s wealthy husband could buy a new one. Feeling disrespected and unsupported, the Redditor decided to pursue legal action. Was this an overreaction, or a justified demand for accountability? Read the full story below.

‘ AITA for taking my niece to court over a coat?’

I(28F) have a niece (16F). She is my only sister’s only child. 2 years ago I married a very wealthy man (34M), and because of the pandemic, last Christmas was my first with my in-laws. My MIL gifted me a coat that is worth more than $20k (I saw her wearing it, asked her where she bought it, and she said that it will be my Christmas gift from her).

I didn’t know how much it was (I knew it was expensive, but I thought maybe $3k at most). I was visiting my sister last January when my niece saw it, she googled the brand and showed me how much it really was. I won’t lie, I didn’t wear it after that because I was afraid of ruining it.

Last week, I wore it while visiting my sister. While I was putting it back on to leave, I felt something go *splat* on my back, then my niece started cackling and the smell of paint hit me. I was so pissed off while she was not apologitic at all. Her mom screamed at her and said she was grounded. Then she said she will pay for the dry cleaning.

While I was in my car, still in shock BTW, I got an alert that my niece posted a reel, it was of her *doing a prank* on me, and she said “I’m going to hit my aunt’s $20k coat with a paint filled balloon to see how she reacts”. I saved it on my phone, sent it to her mom and told her that a week’s grounding is not enough. She did not reply, but I saw that my niece took it down (it got less than 5 views by then).

The next day I found out my coat can not be saved, so I called my sister and told her that her daughter has to pay it back. Well, we got into an argument and she said that they will not be paying it, and if I wanted a new one, I should get my husband to buy it for me. I think that they should pay for it (they can afford to, IMO they should sell my niece’s car and pay me back my money).

We did not reach an agreement, so I told her that I will be suing, and reminded her that I have video evidence that her daughter A) did it on purpose for online clout and B) knew exactly how expensive it was. People in my life are not objective at all, I have some calling me an AH, some saying they are the AHs for not buying me a new one, and some so obsessed with the price of the coat that they are calling me an AH for simply owning it and wanting a new one.. So AITA?

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

WaywardPrincess1025 −  NTA. She ruined a $20k coat. She wasn’t even apologetic.

[Reddit User] −  NTA. This is a really good way for your niece to learn that actions have consequences and hopefully will serve her well in the future, when she’s older. And your sister seems to need that lesson too, sounds like. “Just have your husband buy you a new one” is NOT an appropriate reaction to your kid destroying a $20K item.

Fine_Prune_743 −  Honestly NTA. Actions have consequences and you are right a weeks grounding isn’t enough. She should sell her car and cough up the money. The niece is old enough to know better. Tell your sister either she comes up with the money or you take it to the cops.

I wonder if a police report will force the insurance company to come up with the money. This wasn’t an accident it was intentional and she won’t do it again. This reminds of the idiots gluing themselves to paintings to fight climate change.

TaratronHex −  NTA. Sue them. I don’t care if the coat was $10 or $10000. I wish we’d bring back the stocks for pranksters.

alien_overlord_1001 −  NTA – this is criminal damage – she knew the value of the coat, and she used paint which normally can’t be removed. Sometimes, people have to face the consequences of their actions – it’s not about the coat, it’s about personal responsibility, and 16 is way old enough to know better. She did this out of jealousy, and I’m guessing your sister had something to do with that. This girl owes you for the coat she ruined, and she should pay for it.

queenCANTread −  NTA. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. In this case – a $20k debt.

hollyhorrors −  When i was 16 i would have been scared to even breath near a 20k coat! Nta at all.

okaycthulhu −  Nope, NTA. She knew precisely what she was doing, and deserves to now learn exquisite consequences of her horrid actions. I do have to ask, what makes a coat worth $20k? Doesn’t matter for judgement but I’m morbidly curious…

Unlucky-Dare4481 −  **NTA**. The title had me leaning towards you BTA but then I changed my mind when reading the rest. Your niece is entitled AF. She looked up how expensive the coat was, showed you how expensive it was, then decided to publicly ruin it for online clout. Absolute trash behavior. If I was her mother, I’d ask you to take her to court because she obviously needs some serious wrist slapping.. Respectfully, f**k your niece.

Jagid3 −  OH MY GOODNESS!! Let’s sum up the only relevant data: * She deprived you of $20,000 worth of goods. * It was not accidental. * There is irrefutable evidence
* There is a recorded confession of intent

* If reported to police, the incident would likely be deemed a crime / * The person and the person’s guardians refuse to discuss a reasonable repayment plan. NTA. Personally, I’d be considering reporting a crime. I’m sure I’d regret it, but man I’d want to.