Couple changes locks after mother-in-law donates heirloom furniture and replaces it while they’re away: 'She literally donated Paula's inheritance without asking'

Family conflicts often come up when people are most vulnerable, especially for new parents. In this story, a man shares how he came home from his first trip away since his twin daughters were born and found that his mother-in-law had made what she called a "surprise." While they were gone, she cleared out a room in their house and replaced several pieces of furniture without asking.

These items were more than just furniture. They included a hand-carved mahogany desk and vanity that Paula, the man's wife, had inherited from her grandmother. According to the man, Paula treasured them for their history, not just their appearance. The mother-in-law, Hakiko, called them "old, dusty junk" and said she donated them to make the room look more modern.

Paula was devastated by what happened. The man says she has been crying since they got back, grieving the loss of things that can't be replaced. In response, he told his mother-in-law to leave, took back the spare key, and changed the locks. Soon after, extended family members reacted strongly, accusing him of being controlling and saying his actions were too extreme for just furniture.

According to the man, the family argues that Hakiko meant well, that her "heart was in the right place," and that keeping a grandmother from her grandchildren over material things is cruel. He disagrees, and so does his wife. She supports the decision to cut contact for now, though the pressure from relatives has left them both emotionally drained.

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This situation is especially difficult because it shows how easily people dismiss others’ feelings. To Hakiko, the items were just furniture, but to Paula, they were a real connection to her grandmother, taken without her permission. The post has sparked wider conversations about boundaries, entitlement, and how often “good intentions” are used to excuse invasive actions.
Now, the couple is not questioning their decision, but they are thinking about the cost of sticking to it.
"AITA for banning a relative from our house right after they donated our furniture while we were away home?"

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^{Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.}
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Stick around until the end to see what the couple finally decided to do about the whole ordeal. As it turns out, the comment section really can make a difference.
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$lonnielee3 NTA. Hakiko's heart was \not\ in the right place. She took away items that meant a lot to her own daughter. Whether she was jealous her daughter inherited them and whether she sold them or trashed them, there is dysfunction in her family.$

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Though the internet all seems to be on the same side, what would you have done in this situation? Did the couple make the right move by listening to strangers, or should they have listened to family? Let us know in the comments below.