Laws on personal stuff left behind?

[dani0622]

So here's the story. I moved in with my boyfriend last year into the place he has rented for several years. His ex-wife lived here while they were married and has not lived here in 4+ years. I own a home that is for sale and have been slowly moving my stuff over to his place. When we went into the attic to start making space for my stuff, we found a lot of her stuff she left there. Attic was totally unorganized before me so he didn't even realize her stuff was up there and he only went up there for Xmas stuff which was kept right at the opening of this very large attic.

He asked her to come get it and she always has an excuse BUT she still wants her stuff. I think her issue is she has no space which is not my problem considering we have to pay for a storage facility now because of our combined households.

We've tried to be nice about this but now she is the one getting nasty saying we are "forcing" her to take her stuff. Well, she doesn't live here and hasn't lived here in years (wouldn't you WANT your stuff). Plus she hasn't been on the lease for years!

So my question is, are there any laws regarding disposal of someone else's personal property? I was thinking maybe we get a notarized letter and have it delivered certified mail saying you have x amount of days to remove your stuff. I can't find anwers anywhere online. I don't want us to dump her stuff and than get in trouble!!

Thanks for any answers you have!

 

[lillygator]

don't know if there are any laws, but I would haul it to the curb and tell her if she wants it that is where it is and to come get it before trash day.

have they been divorced long and has she been out of the house long?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

don't know if there are any laws, but I would haul it to the curb and tell her if she wants it that is where it is and to come get it before trash day.

Either this or, if it isn't too inconvenient, just drop it off on her front stoop.

 

[DisneyScraps]

I would out it on the curb.

4 years is long enough, she doesn't need it the only thing I would look out for is pictures or really sentimental stuff. Otherwise it's junk.

Lisa

 

[dani0622]

I did suggest we just drive her stuff over to her apartment but then what if she pretends to not be home or something or wont' come out then we are stuck with it? sigh....

She's very passive agressive too, example, she did take one container of pictures that SHE specifically asked for. Then sends a text to my bf saying, "didn't tubby (that would be me folks) want my pictures there?"

 

[Kies99]

Check the divorce papers first. There might be something about property left behind or abandoned.

If the ex doesn't live to far away, why not haul it to her place and dump it there? Just drop it on the porch or in the driveway or something. I know it's more work, but it'll cause less headache than if you were to dispose of it and she then wants it later.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

So here's the story. I moved in with my boyfriend last year into the place he has rented for several years. His ex-wife lived here while they were married and has not lived here in 4+ years. I own a home that is for sale and have been slowly moving my stuff over to his place. When we went into the attic to start making space for my stuff, we found a lot of her stuff she left there. Attic was totally unorganized before me so he didn't even realize her stuff was up there and he only went up there for Xmas stuff which was kept right at the opening of this very large attic.

He asked her to come get it and she always has an excuse BUT she still wants her stuff. I think her issue is she has no space which is not my problem considering we have to pay for a storage facility now because of our combined households.

We've tried to be nice about this but now she is the one getting nasty saying we are "forcing" her to take her stuff. Well, she doesn't live here and hasn't lived here in years (wouldn't you WANT your stuff). Plus she hasn't been on the lease for years!

So my question is, are there any laws regarding disposal of someone else's personal property? I was thinking maybe we get a notarized letter and have it delivered certified mail saying you have x amount of days to remove your stuff. I can't find anwers anywhere online. I don't want us to dump her stuff and than get in trouble!!
Thanks for any answers you have!

Bolded - this just to CYA! I had a friend who was going through a divorce and he threw out his wife's stuff - including her wedding dress (he was being passive-aggresive, though because the divorce wasn't final and she was only out of the house for a month or two). BIG TIME trouble he got himself into. But I do know that my ex's wifey #2 sold his stuff he left behind after she sent him a letter giving him 30 days to pick it up. He pitched a fit when he found out she sold his stuff but he was warned and he had no recourse.

 

[KadysMom]

You could always contact the police department to find out the time frame on abandonded property. It varies by state/county. After you find out, send her a certified letter stating the time frame and whether she passed it ( I bet she did!! ) Then tell her she has XX Days to remove her items or they will be disposed of.

 

[dani0622]

Never even thought of asking police but I should do that. Plus check the divorce papers or just have the BF call his divorce attorney.

Craziness!!!

Personally, I'd love to just toss her stuff based on the amount of names she calls me weekly!

 

[Agri]

Never even thought of asking police but I should do that. Plus check the divorce papers or just have the BF call his divorce attorney.

Craziness!!!

Personally, I'd love to just toss her stuff based on the amount of names she calls me weekly!

Do they have kids together? Otherwise, I can't figure out why either of you would be exposed to her that often. Just seems weird.

(To answer, ask police about abandoned property laws, send her a certified letter, and then sell her junk.)

 

[dani0622]

Do they have kids together? Otherwise, I can't figure out why either of you would be exposed to her that often. Just seems weird.

(To answer, ask police about abandoned property laws, send her a certified letter, and then sell her junk.)

Yes, they have a 10 year old they my BF has custody of (enough said right?).

 

[Agri]

Yes, they have a 10 year old they my BF has custody of (enough said right?).

I hope you find something in her stuff that you can sell and buy yourself something nice.

 

[Disneychix]

My MIL went through something similar when her fiance passed away and she was left with his house. He had adult children who had TONS of belongings in the house. They kept saying they wanted everything so she kept it. Eventually she had to sell the house and her attorney advised her to send the certified letter letting them know a certain time/date to come get everything otherwise it was being donated or tossed.
I don't believe they ever responded and I do think they tried to contend her selling the house but evenutally she made it to successfully selling the house.

What would the ex do if your BF was leaving his place and moving to yours? Would she expect him to take her stuff? 4 years is a long time for him to store her stuff and now she won't even come get it. Find out the legalities and get it to the curb!

 

[SC Minnie]

That changes things. What kind of stuff did she leave behind? Clothes and junk or is it sentimental stuff?

 

[Carnie]

Ask the divorce attorny to fire off a quick letter stating there are x number of days she has to claim the stuff, or it will be put in a storage facility at HER expense.

That's what I had to do.

 

[AKL_Megs]

She's being passive aggressive and controlling the situation.

She KNOWS you aren't going to toss her stuff, and she LOVES that it drives you nuts and inconveniences you.

If ANY of the junk you had was of ANY importance to her, trust me, she would want it, and she would have long since taken it. It's been FOUR YEARS!!!

Tell her it goes to the curb on trash day. On the night before trash day, tell her it's out there. It's in HER hands.

 

[dani0622]

We actually are considering moving at the end of the lease in a couple of months so we wanted to make sure we took care of this before that happens. Because if we move then what happens? If we leave it behind than I would guess we'd get in trouble with the landlord?

The stuff left behind is a mixture of sentimental stuff (including her wedding dress!!) and junk, which might not be junk to her (christmas decorations, home decor stuff, like candles and knick knacks).

 

[tlbwriter]

Be careful - I know it seems like you should have the right to throw her stuff away, but you don't. Work with the police and/or a lawyer on this one.

 

[dani0622]

She KNOWS you aren't going to toss her stuff, and she LOVES that it drives you nuts and inconveniences you.

You are SO right unfortunately....

It does appear that based on what everyone is saying the law needs to be involved to protect us.

 

[castmemberb4]

I did suggest we just drive her stuff over to her apartment but then what if she pretends to not be home or something or wont' come out then we are stuck with it? sigh....

She's very passive agressive too, example, she did take one container of pictures that SHE specifically asked for. Then sends a text to my bf saying, "didn't tubby (that would be me folks) want my pictures there?"

I'd like to say that if this happens stack it in front of her door blocking as much of her door as you can. As satisfiying as that would be I think you're right when you say in a later post that you need law enforcement involved.