“Not a Son-in-Law but a Worker” ... Man Decides to Divorce After Working for His Father-in-Law [What Do You Think?]

[Financial News] A man who quit his job at his father-in-law’s urging and began learning the real estate brokerage business has decided to divorce, saying he was not paid properly and was burdened with odd jobs. After moving out of his in-laws’ home, he and his wife began living apart. He is worried he may not be able to see their child, who is due to be born soon.
According to YTN Radio’s “Attorney Jo In-seop’s Counseling Center” on the 22nd, Mr. A decided to end his marriage because of conflict with his father-in-law, but sought legal advice about visitation with his child, who is due in November.
Mr. A and his wife learned they were expecting a child during a brief period of dating and got married last January. With little financial means, they could not afford a separate home and lived with her family.
Mr. A later took his father-in-law’s advice to quit his existing job and learn the real estate brokerage business. His father-in-law runs a large real estate brokerage.
But most of the work Mr. A actually did involved wallpapering, replacing floor coverings and repairing homes, rather than real estate brokerage. He reportedly was not paid on time, either.
His father-in-law continued to interfere even while they were living with her family. Mr. A said, “His interference continued even at home. I tried to act like a son out of consideration for my wife, his only daughter, but my father-in-law treated me like a hired hand.”
The conflict with his father-in-law reportedly escalated to insults directed at his family. According to Mr. A, whenever something did not go his father-in-law’s way, he would shout, “Take my daughter and leave,” and would also speak ill of Mr. A’s mother.
In the end, Mr. A persuaded his wife to move out of her family’s home, and he began looking for a new job. But he said his wife left the house whenever they argued and did not return after a major fight last August.
Mr. A said he actually felt more at ease after his wife left. Realizing that he had suffered severe anxiety and stress for a long time because of his wife and father-in-law, he asked for a divorce, and his wife agreed.
The problem was their unborn child. The couple agreed that his wife would have custody of the baby, who is due in November, but they could not agree on visitation.
According to Mr. A, his wife said, “I will never let you see the child,” making clear that she would not allow him to meet the child. He therefore asked about legal ways to see the child after the divorce.
Attorney Bae Bo-ram explained that even if parents cannot agree on visitation, they can ask the court to determine how a parent may see the child.
Attorney Bae said, “If the parties fail to reach an agreement on visitation during an uncontested divorce, the family court can determine the method and scope of visitation on its own initiative or at a party’s request. If the court orders visitation but the wife does not comply, an application for an enforcement order can be filed, and she may be subject to a fine if she violates it.”
However, she said, visitation cannot be sought with an unborn child. She explained that preparations should be made so legal proceedings can begin as soon as the child is born.
Attorney Bae said, “An unborn child cannot yet be the subject of a visitation claim. It is best to prepare the relevant documents and facts in advance so that an application for a court ruling on visitation can be filed immediately after the child’s birth. Custody arrangements that have already been established can also be changed if necessary for the child’s welfare.”
She explained that it may also be possible to make a legal claim for the wages the father-in-law failed to pay. The appropriate course of action depends on whether an employment relationship actually existed.
Attorney Bae said, “If an actual employment relationship is recognized, a claim for unpaid wages can be considered. Even if no employment relationship is recognized, a claim for payment for services rendered or for the return of unjust enrichment may be considered.”
She explained that the father-in-law’s actions—forcing his son-in-law to do unnecessary work or repeatedly pressuring him to leave the house—could also potentially constitute a civil tort.
She added that if the disparaging remarks about Mr. A’s mother stated specific facts that damaged her reputation, or amounted to demeaning personal attacks, they could constitute defamation or insult.

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter