Question:
i may owe my parents several thousand dollars for various reasons.they don’t know about this. ii recently occured to me that perhaps i am patur from at least some or all of the sum, because they treated me horribly as a child and teenager,emotionally,as well as several instances of assault,and others of public humiliation. perhaps they are chayav some of the chamisha dvarim,which patters me.what is the halacha?
Answer:
Parents who are trying to educate their children do not have the same status as a stranger who damages, so therefore they might not be held responsible. Also now days the Botei Din do not award payment for all the five categories of damage. I suggest you sit down with a competent Rabbi and discuss the matter with him.
Sources:
CH:M 1:2