It’s always reassuring to know your family has your back when you’re in a tough spot, but that doesn’t mean you should take their kindness for granted.

This is a lesson one woman learned the hard way after her sister and brother-in-law welcomed her into their home to help her get back on her feet. They generously let her stay for months, but when it was time to leave, she refused and caused quite a stir.

Frustrated, the brother-in-law came up with a clever and petty revenge plan to encourage her to pack her bags. Keep reading to find out how he made it happen.

More info: Reddit

This woman refused to move out of her sister and brother-in-law’s house for months

Image credits: gpointstudio (Not the actual photo)

So, her brother-in-law came up with a petty revenge plan to get her to leave

Image credits: YuriArcursPeopleimages (Not the actual photo)

Image credits: Moosifer_666

Some family fights are so tough they end in no contact

Family disagreements are nothing new, but when they escalate, it can be tough to know how to handle them. Some families never resolve their issues, while others find a way to move on. According to the original poster (OP) on Reddit, since his sister-in-law moved out, they haven’t had any contact with her at all.

Cutting ties with a family member isn’t an easy choice, but for many, it’s necessary. Because sometimes, the peace of not having someone in your life outweighs the stress they bring.

“Going no contact is setting a healthy boundary and excluding someone from your life,” explains Dr. Beau A. Nelson, Chief Clinical Officer at FHE Health. “It is taking charge of the relationships in one’s life and eliminating those that are harmful or toxic. This is not something that the other person agrees to, it is a decision that someone makes to take care of themselves.”

Dr. Nelson also points out that this kind of decision isn’t about punishing the other person, like using silent treatment or stonewalling until they change their behavior. It’s not about the other person at all—it’s about protecting your own well-being and making a choice that’s best for you.

People choose to go no contact for many reasons, whether it’s with friends or former romantic partners. It could be due to a long history of abuse, neglect, or simply a toxic relationship. However, when it comes to family, taking this step is often judged more harshly

“We are inundated in a culture that is obsessed with biology,” says Kristina Scharp, director of the Family Communication and Relationships Lab at Rutgers University and Michigan State. “We’re told things like ‘Blood is thicker than water’ and ‘A family is forever.’ So, if you have a happy family, it’s really hard to imagine estrangement.”

This cultural mindset can make it harder for people to sever ties, even when it might be the healthiest option. And while distancing oneself may seem like an easy escape from a difficult relationship, it often brings its own set of obstacles—feelings of guilt, stress, and even grief over losing someone from your life, despite a sense of relief.

That’s why Dr. Nelson recommends being mindful about cutting someone off and planning for what comes next. “Think through the process, how to state your intention, how to maintain it, what to do when the other person challenges you, who will be your supports, and how to be aware of the warning signs you are slipping back into a bad relationship.”

Going no contact is a deeply personal choice, one that deserves understanding rather than criticism. Where you find that support is up to you—whether it’s from a counselor, mentor, or a friend—the key is having someone there to offer empathy when you need it most.

Image credits: Vitaly Gariev (Not the actual photo)

People in the comments praised the man’s creative way of kicking his sister-in-law out

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