Mother keeps opening my mail - what are my options?
My mom habitually opens mail that is addressed to me that looks interesting to her. This includes harmless stuff like magazines and advertisements, but also some personal items of mail. Regardless, it is all a violation of my privacy. I have asked her to stop opening my mail at least a dozen times in the past few years. I am no longer a minor, so I don't think she has any right to do this without my consent. In fact, I think it's illegal. I was wondering if anyone knew the section of the law that goes over this, so that I could show it to her. I hope it doesn't come to this, but what legal action could I take, since my asking/telling her to stop hasn't done a bit of good.
Answers:
Are you still living at home? That's a key piece of information that you need to tell us in order for us to answer.
If your mother is coming to your home and opening your mail out of the mailbox, that's really bad.
Basically, you could probably get your mother in trouble for tampering with the mail, but no court is going to appreciate being involved in a family dispute like that.
Get a Post office box and forward your personal mail there. One of my room mates in college did the same thing to me, and that was the only thing that worked for me. Good luck!
Do you still with your Mother, if so she should open up your mail because you live with her..
move. you said it yourself, you aren't a minor.
or press charges on your mom. it's illegal to open someone else's mail.
Get your own mailbox at the post office.
If you're not a minor, move out and get a place of your own.
If you are under 18 she can do what ever she wants.if you are over 18 i think you should get a post office box.she won't be able to get to your mail then
Get a PO box from your local post office
If your an adult and still living at home I would not sugest the showing her the law routine (just my opinion) put rather just pay a few bucks a month and get a post office box. End of problem and no conflicts with dear mom.
Before I would sue or file a complaint against my own mother, I would get a post office box.it would be a lot cheaper in the long run.
I don't know the section or code of law that prevents others from opening mail, but you could call or visit your local post office.
To be honest, I think an investigator may find this a litlte humerous and consider this to be a personal issue.
Since you are still living with you mom, even though you are no longer a minor, you have to give your mom a certain consideration. You are under her roof. If you don't like the way she treats you, think about moving out.
Also, get a PO BOX. They are inexpensive and you can forward all your mail there.
Don't be too hard on your Mom, many mothers have trouble realizing that their kids have lives of their own as they get older. You're either going to have to convince your mom to respect your mail and your property or you're just going to have to arrange for your mail to be sent to a different address or a PO box. It may be illegal, but the Post Office isn't going to do anything if you complain (small wonder there). I have a friend of mine who once had a problem with his deadbeat sister and nephew stealing his mail (he had huge legal problems with them squatting in his home and trashing the place, and they were trying to keep him from getting his court and lawyer's papers). When he reported it to the Post Office they said it's their policy not to get involved in any situations where mail is stolen by people within the same household because it's just too hard for them to investigate or prove anything.
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