My Mother-in-Law Is Trying to Ruin My Marriage—And the Saddest Part Is That My Husband Doesn’t Believe Me

Author Emily TaylorReading 2 minViews 2

My mother-in-law is trying to ruin my marriage. The saddest part is my husband doesnt believe me.

When I got married, I felt like the luckiest woman alive. My husband was so kind, always respectful and supportive. Everything would have been just perfect if not for my mother-in-law. When I first met her, I realised she was not the brightest spark.

Shes the sort who likes things her own way and wants to run everyones lives. It quickly became clear that living together would be impossible Id hardly be able to breathe with her hovering! So, my husband and I decided to rent a flat of our own.

Then, my dad passed away from cancer. He left me a big house in the countryside. My husband and I chose to move there. Ive always loved working outdoors and dreamed of having my own garden. My husband felt the same.

Wed settled in for a while when one day, my mother-in-law turned up. She announced she wanted the house for herself, and even offered to swap it for a city flat just one tiny bedroom for us. Naturally, I refused. She kicked up a right fuss and stormed off.

Later, I got a call from my husband. He accused me of being rude to his mother apparently Id shouted at her! It turned out shed spun some ridiculous story about me. I honestly dont know how to put things right or what to say to make him believe me now.

Living in Someone Else’s Flat? Pay the Rent! “I don’t even know if my daughter’s wedding will go ahead. Everyone’s fallen out, and my future son-in-law’s lost the plot. With only two weeks to the big day, he’s acting up. I have no idea how this will end, I feel so sorry for my daughter,” sighs Helen. “Why is everyone arguing?” “You won’t believe it—it’s all about the new flat. We wanted to do something special for the newlyweds, so we put together every last penny, even sold our cottage in the country and the garage, just to afford a flat as a wedding gift. It’s in my daughter’s name. But since they’re about to marry, what does it matter whose name is on the deed?” “Well, exactly…” “That’s how both myself and my husband see it. The flat, of course, is a blank slate. It needs a full renovation and furnishing, but we’ve nothing left in savings. My husband suggested we all pitch in on the renovation so they could move in as soon as possible. But the fiancé flat out refused to do any work!” “Why’s that?” “Because, in his eyes, it’s not his flat. He doesn’t want to put time or money into a property he doesn’t own. He said we should handle renovations ourselves. He’ll pick up a few basics, but has no intention of spending much on it.” “Maybe they should just live in it as is, without a renovation?” “That’s impossible, the flat’s completely bare. And to top it off, all the water and electrics need redoing, floors and walls are a mess, old windows are about to fall apart, and it needs at least basic finishing touches,” Helen explains. “I really don’t see how anyone could live there, even I’m not that easy-going. How can young people start off in a dump like that? It’s embarrassing. My future son-in-law works at a major company, he’s paid well, but he’s too tight with money. You see, he wants to save for a home of his own so he’s never at risk of being left with nothing. Basically, he wants to live off us. He insists we pay for all the work ourselves. So I told him if he thinks it’s someone else’s flat, he should pay us rent! He laughed and agreed,” sighs Helen. “What does your daughter think?” “She’s in tears, very upset. She loves him terribly, but we just can’t add his name to the deeds. She says now she doesn’t want a flat, or a renovation. But I don’t like that he won’t invest in the family at all. What comes next? They’re not even married and they’re already fretting over divorce and splitting assets,” Helen says. Do you think my future son-in-law should invest in the flat? He’s planning to live there, start a family, make it a home. Does it really matter whose name is on the paperwork? Or is his position logical? What would you do if you were in his shoes?

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Living in Someone Else’s Home? Then Pay the Rent! “I don’t even know if my daughter’s wedding will happen. Everyone’s arguing, and my future son-in-law has gone off the rails. Just two weeks to the wedding, and he’s lost the plot. I feel so sorry for my daughter,” confides Alison. “Why are you all fighting?” “You won’t believe it—it’s over the flat. We wanted to do something special for the young couple, so we pooled all our savings and bought a flat as a wedding present. We even had to sell our lakeside cottage and garage to cover the cost. The property is registered in my daughter’s name. But since they’re getting married, what difference does it make whose name is on the deeds?” “Exactly…” “That’s what my husband and I think. The place, of course, is completely empty. It needs a total renovation and some furniture, but we haven’t got any savings left. My husband suggested to our future son-in-law that we all pitch in and sort the flat out together, so they can move in as soon as possible. But my son-in-law refuses to do any work!” “Why not?” “Because he says it’s not his flat. He doesn’t want to put money into a property that isn’t in his name. He said we should do the renovation ourselves. He might buy a few little things, but he has no intention of spending much.” “So maybe they should just live there as is, without any renovations.” “That’s impossible—it’s completely bare. Plus, it needs all the plumbing and electrics redone, the floors and walls levelled, and the old windows really have to go before they fall apart. At least some basic work needs doing,” says Alison. “In my opinion, nobody could live in those conditions. I’m not fussy, but how can a young couple live in such a dump? It’s embarrassing. My future son-in-law works in a big company; he earns a good salary, but he’s tight with his money. You see, he wants to save for a place of his own, so he’s never left without a roof over his head. “It turns out he wants to live at our expense. He insists we pay for the refurbishment. So I told him: if you think the flat isn’t yours, then pay rent! He just smiled and agreed,” sighs Alison. “What does your daughter make of all this?” “She’s utterly distraught and keeps crying. She loves him dearly, but we can’t put his name on the deeds too. Now she says she doesn’t want the flat or the renovation. But I don’t like that a man won’t invest anything in his family. What’s next? They’re not even married and already thinking about splitting up and who would get what,” says Alison. Do you think my future son-in-law should invest in this flat? He’s planning to live there, start a family, settle down. Does it really matter who owns it on paper? Or is his position reasonable? What would you do in his situation?

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📌 Useful Social Services & Contacts in the U.S.

Stay informed and get help when you need it. Below are key national services with direct contacts that may support you or your loved ones:
🏥 Health & Mental Support

SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

What they do: Free and confidential help with substance use and mental health disorders.

Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – 24/7, anonymous support

Website: samhsa.gov

🧒 Support for Children & Families

WIC – Women, Infants, and Children Program

What they do: Nutritional and healthcare support for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.

Federal Info Line: 1-800-522-5006

Find local WIC office: fns.usda.gov/wic

My Mother-in-Law Is Trying to Ruin My Marriage—And the Saddest Part Is That My Husband Doesn’t Believe Me