So Whose Money Is It??

[minniebeth]

I just heard on the news that a large sum of money was found by a contractor doing work in the floor boards of a home newly purchased by a couple...is it theirs now since they own the home or the prior homeowner's? In court now...did anyone else hear this story and know the details?
Don't know what to think... what do you think?

 

[luvmy3]

My guess would be, that if the previous owners can't prove that its theirs and they put it there, it belongs to the current owners.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

It's mine. I was wondering where I left that. Thanks.

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

I would think the present owner would get it. If I put a large sum of money in floorboards ( not that I would ) I would remember to take it before I moved.

 

[breezy1077]

I'm going with new homeowners.

 

[SeaShelley]

My guess would be, that if the previous owners can't prove that its theirs and they put it there, it belongs to the current owners.

That's what I was thinking. How lucky for them ! How much $$ did they find ?

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

* dup post *

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Unless the law varies by state, the moeny would belong to the new owners as of settlement.

 

[ericamanda01]

I wonder how the previous owners found out about the money?

 

[sweetandsassyfl]

It belongs to the current owners, I think.

 

[Froggyswife]

being under the floorboards means that it was part of the house. Just like built in cabinets or safes. The new owners own the house and whatever was built into it.

 

[sweetandsassyfl]

being under the floorboards means that it was part of the house. Just like built in cabinets or safes. The new owners own the house and whatever was built into it.

That's exactly how I was thinking.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

* Dup post *

 

[disykat]

I would say it is definitely the new homeowner's property now.

That said, if I moved into a home that was sold by someone who died or went into a nursing home etc., I would try to return it to the rightful heirs. (I wouldn't mind being rewarded financially for doing so though! )

 

[RitaE]

I think I remember hearing about this case.

IIRC, the contractor tried to claim it was his because he "found" the money. He refused to drop his claim even after the present owners offered him a cash reward in settlement.

Surely there aren't two cases of money in floorboards. Maybe I need to start ripping up my floors.

Anyway -- the money belongs to the people who own the house, unless it is proven that the money is connected to a crime or was stolen from somebody else.

 

[disykat]

It definitely doesn't belong to the contractor!

 

[Hollyann]

When a contractor finds a broken pipe under the house that is going to add more $$$ to the repair or remodel, it doesn't belong to him OR the previous owner...it belongs to the current owner. Just like money under the house.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Unless the law varies by state, the moeny would belong to the new owners as of settlement.

This is my take on it.

 

[minniebeth]

I think I remember hearing about this case.

IIRC, the contractor tried to claim it was his because he "found" the money. He refused to drop his claim even after the present owners offered him a cash reward in settlement.

Surely there aren't two cases of money in floorboards. Maybe I need to start ripping up my floors.

Anyway -- the money belongs to the people who own the house, unless it is proven that the money is connected to a crime or was stolen from somebody else.

Ahh, yes, ok, this makes more sense! Oh yes, homeowners for sure!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Every time this happens, I have to wonder about the guys doing the work. If they want the money, they should just keep it and be quiet about it. Why tell the owner and then go to court???

I think it belongs to the folks who own the home, though. If the workers found fleas, roaches or termites, they wouldn't claim those.