My father is destroying our family financially and I don’t know what to do anymore

Community Forums Legal Advice India My father is destroying our family financially and I don’t know what to do anymore

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    • #77708 Reply
      User_91cbc768
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        U
        User_91cbc768
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        May 6, 2026 at 5:58 am
        ​

        I’m 18M preparing for JEE and my family situation has become unbearable.

        My father earns around 80k/month and will retire in about 5 years, but he has multiple hidden loans and debt issues. For years he has lied to us saying the constant calls he gets are “spam”, but me and my mother eventually found out they are mostly lenders and recovery calls.

        The worst part is that he keeps taking debt for alcohol, luxury spending, and sexual/intimate activities while we are struggling financially as a lower middle class family.

        Whenever he runs out of money, he emotionally blackmails and pressures my mother into giving him her savings, LIC money, insurance money, etc. My mother has spent years saving for me and my brother, but most of it has gone into paying his debts.

        Recently he even went to my mother’s workplace and pressured her into signing loan papers there because she couldn’t create a scene publicly. He humiliates her in front of others whenever she resists, so eventually she gives in just to stop the harassment.

        Now we are getting court notices and even our rented house situation is unstable. I’m genuinely scared we might become bankrupt or homeless one day.

        The hardest part is that I’m supposed to focus on JEE and my future, but instead I feel like I’m watching my family collapse in slow motion. My mother keeps saying “what will people think?” so she doesn’t want to involve relatives or seek help.

        I don’t hate my father, but I’m exhausted, angry, scared, and honestly ashamed of what our life has become.

        I just wanted to vent because I feel trapped between saving my future and saving my family.

        What kind of legal steps can I take?

      • #77713 Reply
        User_3686b30b
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          U
          User_3686b30b
          PARTICIPANT
          May 6, 2026 at 6:08 am
          NAL, from what all I’ve noticed in regards to family problems and personal experience, you cannot do nothing. Literally. Until unless your mom steps forward with full heart, and not half-hearted, ONLY then there is a chance for some progress to happen. There is nothing in your hand. I can fully relate the “saving MY family” part, im suffering too. Don’t focus on it, leave everything on their heads, you are a child, its not your responsibility in the first place. I went to the police 5 times in the span of 5 months, changed houses 6 times, still nothing has changed, all my exams though got ruined even more.

          “so eventually she gives in just to stop the harassment.”
          No, she dosen’t want to change. I’ve seen exactly with my mother too, EXACT. Its trauma-bond, she likes it, it sounds horrendous but it is what it is.

          Fill every single exam and leave the house, BITS, MET, VIT, SRM, IPMAT, IMUCET (for merchant navy), NCHMJEE (for hotel management, extremely cheap course).

        • #77714 Reply
          Calmzara1302
          Participant
            C
            Calmzara1302
            PARTICIPANT
            May 6, 2026 at 6:11 am
            Divorce the dude.

          • #77717 Reply
            User_1ccf5d6f
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              U
              User_1ccf5d6f
              PARTICIPANT
              May 6, 2026 at 6:19 am
              Perfectly legal step:
              1. Move out

              • #77768 Reply
                User_be85a5df
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                  U
                  User_be85a5df
                  PARTICIPANT
                  May 6, 2026 at 6:39 am
                  Money to move out?

                  • #77778 Reply
                    User_1ccf5d6f
                    Participant
                      U
                      User_1ccf5d6f
                      PARTICIPANT
                      May 6, 2026 at 7:35 am
                      The mom is working. It is better than to spend the money in paying up his dad’s debt.

                      • #77780 Reply
                        User_be85a5df
                        Participant
                          U
                          User_be85a5df
                          PARTICIPANT
                          May 6, 2026 at 10:13 am
                          and if mom doesn’t want to but keeps paying dad’s debt and refuses to leave him?

                          • #77782 Reply
                            Calmzara1302
                            Participant
                              C
                              Calmzara1302
                              PARTICIPANT
                              May 6, 2026 at 2:55 pm
                              The son is 18M. He needs to step the fuck up and defend his mom from any physical harm. This is break it or make it.

                              “Log kya kahenge” needs to tossed out too. Too late for all that.

                              • #77784 Reply
                                User_be85a5df
                                Participant
                                  U
                                  User_be85a5df
                                  PARTICIPANT
                                  May 6, 2026 at 5:45 pm
                                  Easier said than done. Most Indian families have complicated dynamics and it’s not even about log kya kahenge, it is about can you risk your family on that one decision? Bcz you can do all the hard work but still the outcome depends on various factors irl.

                                  Rn he needs to finish his JEE and get into college, which is an extremely crucial time. He needs to focus without getting dragged into these things or else the score won’t let him get into a good college.

                      • #77711 Reply
                        User_09367b49
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                          U
                          User_09367b49
                          PARTICIPANT
                          May 6, 2026 at 6:33 am
                          Trust me, it’s not going to stop, one of my close relative is similar, we lost lots of gold, still problems are not over, it’s going to be headache and you family health is going to deteriorate, you won’t get sleep at night, and even if the debt become zero he is going to borrow more, it’s an addiction.

                          • #77766 Reply
                            User_91cbc768
                            Participant
                              U
                              User_91cbc768
                              OP
                              May 6, 2026 at 6:43 am
                              What steps and precautions I can start taking right now?
                              I know it’s inevitable for him to stop.

                              • #77775 Reply
                                User_09367b49
                                Participant
                                  U
                                  User_09367b49
                                  PARTICIPANT
                                  May 6, 2026 at 6:50 am
                                  Simple don’t give him the money, but mine will be different because he living in other house with his wife,if will emotional blackmail you, try all emotional stuff,, get angry, just stop talking ,and most important thing the elder generation does, don’t tell him everything, especially about finances, when he realize you are poor,then he will not ask you, hide you mothers gold, land deed, avoid signing papers,ect. Play emotional if he play,(usually it don’t have any impact on him) ours was my grandfather was really smart and cut and the financial support to my uncle, but pay for some health activity.

                                • #77773 Reply
                                  User_08480b95
                                  Participant
                                    U
                                    User_08480b95
                                    PARTICIPANT
                                    May 6, 2026 at 6:52 am
                                    detach yourself from the family affairs and focus on your career. as soon as you’re able to earn, move out!

                                  • #77777 Reply
                                    User_88ef2a30
                                    Participant
                                      U
                                      User_88ef2a30
                                      PARTICIPANT
                                      May 6, 2026 at 12:16 pm
                                      Find out if you can complete a degree or not first because even if you take loan

                                      You need to take care of living and other expenses of college

                                • #77764 Reply
                                  User_e422ef3d
                                  Participant
                                    U
                                    User_e422ef3d
                                    PARTICIPANT
                                    May 6, 2026 at 6:41 am
                                    Earn yourself help him financially then, don’t bark on the internet about your father, he’s done everything for you guys and still no regard for him, try to help him.

                                    • #77770 Reply
                                      User_2e04de30
                                      Participant
                                        U
                                        User_2e04de30
                                        PARTICIPANT
                                        May 6, 2026 at 6:57 am
                                        Did you even read what he wrote ? What has that father done other then getting them under heavy loans??

                                    • #77744 Reply
                                      User_352a46fe
                                      Participant
                                        U
                                        User_352a46fe
                                        PARTICIPANT
                                        May 6, 2026 at 6:51 am
                                        NAL and probably an unpopular opinion, I am expecting this comment to be downvoted to hell, but here it goes.

                                        Change the title to “**My mother is destroying our family financially my enabling my father and refusing to take a stand and I don’t know what to do anymore**”

                                        I’m pretty sure the signs were there years back and this had to be done much earlier, but there is still time to divorce the dude and please stand by your mom and tell your neighbors and relatives to fuck off if it ever comes to it.

                                      • #77733 Reply
                                        User_0b7e4055
                                        Participant
                                          U
                                          User_0b7e4055
                                          PARTICIPANT
                                          May 6, 2026 at 6:51 am
                                          That Fool is your Father ?

                                          Just give him divorce

                                          I think he is a playboy brother

                                        • #77719 Reply
                                          Luckyvimal1501
                                          Participant
                                            L
                                            Luckyvimal1501
                                            PARTICIPANT
                                            May 6, 2026 at 7:26 am
                                            Daiworse karo bhai

                                          • #77721 Reply
                                            User_3f377c38
                                            Participant
                                              U
                                              User_3f377c38
                                              PARTICIPANT
                                              May 6, 2026 at 8:10 am
                                              It’s only Indian women who tolerate such men indefinitely. I’m really sorry for your Mother. It seems to me that the first thing she should do (should have already done) is to divorce him. He’s becoming a burden on the entire family.

                                            • #77722 Reply
                                              User_3f825705
                                              Participant
                                                U
                                                User_3f825705
                                                PARTICIPANT
                                                May 6, 2026 at 9:06 am
                                                NAL

                                                Make sure you do not sign on any loan papers. Otherwise you will find yourself in debt.

                                                You are not liable to clear your father’s debts but if you are the guarantor for a loan, you will be screwed.

                                              • #77725 Reply
                                                User_5b56f78b
                                                Participant
                                                  U
                                                  User_5b56f78b
                                                  PARTICIPANT
                                                  May 6, 2026 at 9:41 am
                                                  I am exactly in the same situation as op few yrs back ….even then I stayed silent to focus but now I got a job with 5x of the debts of that day and I was struck in the middle and was told to be responsible for the debts I didn’t even know

                                                • #77727 Reply
                                                  User_5d70d0b6
                                                  Participant
                                                    U
                                                    User_5d70d0b6
                                                    PARTICIPANT
                                                    May 6, 2026 at 12:22 pm
                                                    Complete your education and leave with your mother. Don’t look back.

                                                  • #77748 Reply
                                                    User_46450c09
                                                    Participant
                                                      U
                                                      User_46450c09
                                                      PARTICIPANT
                                                      May 6, 2026 at 1:02 pm
                                                      Go smoke weed once and then change yourself
                                                      The change within your father must start from the strong soul hidden within you. Shiva hides in you.

                                                    • #77735 Reply
                                                      User_1ec73961
                                                      Participant
                                                        U
                                                        User_1ec73961
                                                        PARTICIPANT
                                                        May 6, 2026 at 1:46 pm
                                                        Have been through similar situation, when father has unresolved mental issues and does not want to accept and work on his fu*k all behavior/habits this happens. I don’t know what you can do legally, as your mother is not going to divorce him until he “dies”. But, keep your mind calm-steady be consistent and drop all dependencies on your parents.
                                                        It will be next to impossible but if you are able to figure-out the problem, you are capable to solve it.
                                                        You be sacrificing a lot so yeah, go workout that helped me a lot.
                                                        PS- find a good woman, it will keep you sane. Also save yourself so you can save your family. It sounds selfish but it is what it is!!

                                                        Remember- walk on a broken foot, leave no trace of your hands on anyone’s shoulder (anyone).

                                                      • #77751 Reply
                                                        User_7e0b6a3a
                                                        Participant
                                                          U
                                                          User_7e0b6a3a
                                                          PARTICIPANT
                                                          May 6, 2026 at 2:26 pm
                                                          pick me

                                                        • #77758 Reply
                                                          User_7e0b6a3a
                                                          Participant
                                                            U
                                                            User_7e0b6a3a
                                                            PARTICIPANT
                                                            May 6, 2026 at 2:26 pm
                                                            bas rona ata hai

                                                          • #77760 Reply
                                                            User_7e0b6a3a
                                                            Participant
                                                              U
                                                              User_7e0b6a3a
                                                              PARTICIPANT
                                                              May 6, 2026 at 2:26 pm
                                                              noob

                                                            • #77761 Reply
                                                              User_7e0b6a3a
                                                              Participant
                                                                U
                                                                User_7e0b6a3a
                                                                PARTICIPANT
                                                                May 6, 2026 at 2:26 pm
                                                                i think galti tujhme hai

                                                              • #77753 Reply
                                                                User_7e0b6a3a
                                                                Participant
                                                                  U
                                                                  User_7e0b6a3a
                                                                  PARTICIPANT
                                                                  May 6, 2026 at 2:26 pm
                                                                  achi aulaad toh ban na paye tum ab baap ko bolte ho

                                                                • #77754 Reply
                                                                  User_7e0b6a3a
                                                                  Participant
                                                                    U
                                                                    User_7e0b6a3a
                                                                    PARTICIPANT
                                                                    May 6, 2026 at 2:27 pm
                                                                    skill issue

                                                                  • #77756 Reply
                                                                    User_7e0b6a3a
                                                                    Participant
                                                                      U
                                                                      User_7e0b6a3a
                                                                      PARTICIPANT
                                                                      May 6, 2026 at 2:27 pm
                                                                      daddy issues

                                                                    • #77737 Reply
                                                                      User_6d209fd2
                                                                      Participant
                                                                        U
                                                                        User_6d209fd2
                                                                        PARTICIPANT
                                                                        May 6, 2026 at 3:10 pm
                                                                        i feel so fxkin sorry for you bro.

                                                                        as a 30+ y/o male who have gone through worse than what you mentioned I would suggest…
                                                                        1. tell your mother to go away with you to live in some other house/apartment.
                                                                        2. just focus on your studies
                                                                        3. have good friendships & support channels in your future college
                                                                        4. You will do awesome without his materialistic shadow. You dont need to feel guilty about anything. Your father chose a way and he is walking on it despite knowing all the realities of life.

                                                                        You cant do much to help him.

                                                                        I have realized debt is an addiction as well just like other bits – my father took more than 30L debt from banks, personal lenders, politicians, goons etc. in the period of 2007-2016 in the name od my college + school fee – he was a senior manager in bank & was let go due to his own mistake – but then he never went back to job (I was 17 then) & just was so fxkin stubborn to not take any job – still he doesnt work (he does property broker thingy -which is shyte) – eventually i paid it all while supporting them & I still support my mom dad as they don’t have any income and fxkall, again he did a property brokerage deal in which he fxked it all up once again & accrued a loan of 20L – and this time I an not helping him at all. I just pay for their rent and food & have stopped discussing about the goons/notices/court dates that he receives.

                                                                        Its so sick man, I wish I would have never paid that 50L tbh. I know some might say i am a horrible son but fxk it man, it just feels so hurtful, & i dont want another bro to suffer from this.

                                                                        With a very heavy heart, I had to decide a boundary, so all I want to say to you is, their is a separation of duties thats mentioned even in the philosophical direction of the Upanishads:
                                                                        Respect parents? Yes.
                                                                        Care for family? Yes.
                                                                        Blindly inherit all suffering, mistakes, ego, or irresponsibility? Not really.
                                                                        Ultimate responsibility is toward dharma and truth, not emotional blackmail disguised as tradition.

                                                                        You are a teenager, I wish someone has told me what I wrote today.

                                                                        But eventually the call is yours. Discuss with your mom that someone with a realistic similar story has shared all of it, can you help me pave my path?

                                                                        Or if you are in complete blind love with your dad as I was, then let go of the suffering & the things that your dad is facing & just do whatever best you can & never give up.

                                                                        Because either ways, you gonna shine!
                                                                        Take care bro

                                                                      • #77730 Reply
                                                                        User_f1f4b762
                                                                        Participant
                                                                          U
                                                                          User_f1f4b762
                                                                          PARTICIPANT
                                                                          May 6, 2026 at 3:28 pm
                                                                          You cannot destroy life of your mother and yourself just because of “what society will think” syndrome, are they going to feed you when you become homeless?, are they gonna pay your debts?. Ask you mother to divorce that dude let him rot, he is at an age to understand what he is doing. Without any hesitation file for divorce and move out away from him, he will deal with lenders and stuff. Focus on your studies and Do you best in your JEE because college matters a lot.

                                                                        • #77739 Reply
                                                                          User_ce79c437
                                                                          Participant
                                                                            U
                                                                            User_ce79c437
                                                                            PARTICIPANT
                                                                            May 6, 2026 at 5:46 pm
                                                                            First thing: do NOT sign anything. No guarantor papers, no “temporary” loan forms, nothing

                                                                            Second, stop thinking you can personally fix your father through sacrifice or emotional talks. Debt addiction + alcohol + humiliation tactics usually don’t magically stop because the son studies harder

                                                                            And honestly your top priority right now has to be escape velocity through education. That sounds selfish until you realize becoming financially stable is literally the only realistic leverage you’ll have later

                                                                            Your mother also needs to stop protecting “log kya kahenge” more than her own future. That mentality has already cost enough

                                                                          • #77741 Reply
                                                                            User_4f6ffd0b
                                                                            Participant
                                                                              U
                                                                              User_4f6ffd0b
                                                                              PARTICIPANT
                                                                              May 6, 2026 at 8:26 pm
                                                                              there was a similar situation in my case at one point, somebody gave me a piece of advice which turned out to be really wise:

                                                                              “save yourself first”

                                                                              secure your future anyway you can. you have your youth, and so you have an opportunity to land in rooms where important work is done. fight tooth and nail to get there somehow.

                                                                            • #77746 Reply
                                                                              User_d067239e
                                                                              Participant
                                                                                U
                                                                                User_d067239e
                                                                                PARTICIPANT
                                                                                May 6, 2026 at 8:42 pm
                                                                                your mother needs to divorce ur piece of shit dad and yes he might get violent but u gotta stand up.

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