Family drama erupts as China mum sues daughter for US$680,000 over elder care dispute
Agreement states that daughter is responsible for all care expenses – hospitalisation, medical bills, rent, and all reasonable living costs
A family drama has sparked intense debate on Chinese social media after a mother – who had given her daughter 4.9 million yuan (US$680,000) as compensation for quitting her job to care for her – sued her to reclaim the money following a heated dispute over unpaid rent.
The case originated when the mother, surnamed Jin, whose age remains undisclosed, required help due to health issues. In 2021, she reached an agreement with her daughter, surnamed Lu, asking her to resign from her job in Guangzhou and return to Beijing.
Details regarding Lu’s job and salary in Guangzhou have not been disclosed.
To compensate her daughter for her lost income, Jin agreed to transfer the entire 4.9 million yuan from the sale of her two-bedroom flat in Beijing’s Xisanqi area to Lu.
The agreement was formally documented on December 21, 2023, in a written contract stating that Lu would cover all elder care expenses – including hospitalisation, medical bills, rent, and other reasonable living costs – until her mother’s passing, as well as funeral expenses.