AITA for wanting to sue my husband's sister for losing my 2k camera at the beach?

We’ve all had that one family member who just doesn’t understand boundaries. But what happens when that boundary is not just emotional space—but a $2,000 work tool? One Redditor found themselves in the middle of an infuriating situation when their sister-in-law took their expensive camera without permission.

OP, a blogger, had a designated workspace in their apartment, complete with a locked door to protect their equipment from their sister-in-law, who had a history of taking things without returning them. When SIL asked to borrow OP’s professional-grade camera for a beach trip, OP said no—explaining that they needed it for work.

The next morning, OP discovered the camera was gone. Turns out, their husband gave his sister the key, and she took it anyway. What happened next? A lost camera, excuses, and an ultimatum. Now, OP is demanding she replace the camera, but both SIL and her husband refuse to take responsibility.

‘AITA for wanting to sue my husband’s sister for losing my 2k camera at the beach?’

Expert Analysis:

When Borrowing Without Permission Becomes Theft

According to legal expert Jennifer Ellis, J.D., “When someone takes property without consent, even if they claim it was ‘borrowing,’ it can still legally qualify as theft. In small claims court, responsibility often falls on the person who removed the item and their enabler if permission was given on their behalf.”

Since OP explicitly denied permission, and SIL still took it, this would be considered unauthorized use, and OP has legal grounds to demand reimbursement.

The Accountability Gap in Family Dynamics

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, an expert in toxic family relationships, highlights how enablers (in this case, OP’s husband) contribute to ongoing entitlement. “Family members who shield irresponsible relatives from consequences often reinforce destructive behavior, leaving the responsible party feeling invalidated and gaslit.”

This explains why SIL is acting as if she’s the victim while OP is being treated as the unreasonable one.

What Should OP Do Next?

File a Police Report: If the camera was stolen at the beach, filing a report with serial numbers might help recover it.
Send a Demand Letter: Legally, a demand letter outlining repayment terms can help before escalating to small claims court.
Hold the Husband Accountable: Since he gave SIL access to OP’s workspace, he shares responsibility in making things right.

Here’s what Redditors had to say about OP’s dilemma:

Most Redditors agreed OP was not in the wrong, highlighting that SIL’s actions went beyond an innocent mistake—she stole the camera after being explicitly told no. Many also pointed out that OP’s husband is just as much at fault for enabling the theft and dismissing OP’s career needs. A few commenters even suggested that OP reconsider their marriage, given the blatant disrespect.