I let a friend stay here while she was going thru a nasty divorce. After 4 1/2 months of me supporting her and her daughter she returned to her abuser, which of course lasted only about six weeks before she came back again. Her belongings have been in my garage since October and she has been gone from my house since April. I left her a phone message to pick up the property by this Wednesday (she's suppose to come over and make a payment towards the $12,000 she owes me this Wednesday...yeah right!!) or it will all be picked up by Goodwill on Friday. Is it okay to give this to Goodwill? Should I rent a storage unit...pay for the first month...send her the key and let it be her problem with the storage place? How do I do this all legally?_I appreciate the advice.
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Property Stored In my Garage...Want It Out!!
- Thread Starter SARAHSMOM
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CdwJava
Moderator
What you might be required to do, and what liability you face, will depend on the laws in your un-named state.
I would NOT just hand it off to Goodwill. You could find yourself on the receiving end of a civil suit, or worse, a criminal allegation for theft or some manner of misappropriation of property.
Your best bet might be to check with an attorney before you expose yourself like this. There may be free information available through your local bar association or some other resource that can help you.
At this point you cannot even swear that she has gotten the word that you intend to unload her junk. It might end up that you have to store her stuff for 30, 60, or 90 days and send her a registered letter with the key (requiring signature) informing her of the location of her stuff and that if she fails to retrieve it the storage unit will default to the management and you are done with it.
You know the old saying: No good deed goes unpunished. Sometimes that sad axiom is true.
- Carl
I would NOT just hand it off to Goodwill. You could find yourself on the receiving end of a civil suit, or worse, a criminal allegation for theft or some manner of misappropriation of property.
Your best bet might be to check with an attorney before you expose yourself like this. There may be free information available through your local bar association or some other resource that can help you.
At this point you cannot even swear that she has gotten the word that you intend to unload her junk. It might end up that you have to store her stuff for 30, 60, or 90 days and send her a registered letter with the key (requiring signature) informing her of the location of her stuff and that if she fails to retrieve it the storage unit will default to the management and you are done with it.
You know the old saying: No good deed goes unpunished. Sometimes that sad axiom is true.
- Carl
Thank You Carl...Sarahsmom From California
Carl....
I appreciate your advice....I'm glad I didn't just send it all off to Goodwill even though it is all junk!! I am in California and will check with the Bar Association. Unfortunately, your little quote is so true!! I was a good friend trying to help her out of a life threatening situation only to get burned and create problems for my own family by helping her!! I'm glad to know that there are others out there like yourself that are doing good deeds to help others....and I for one appreciate it!! Let's me know that I can continue to help others, but I need to learn to set boundaries!! Thanks Carl....Laura
Carl....
I appreciate your advice....I'm glad I didn't just send it all off to Goodwill even though it is all junk!! I am in California and will check with the Bar Association. Unfortunately, your little quote is so true!! I was a good friend trying to help her out of a life threatening situation only to get burned and create problems for my own family by helping her!! I'm glad to know that there are others out there like yourself that are doing good deeds to help others....and I for one appreciate it!! Let's me know that I can continue to help others, but I need to learn to set boundaries!! Thanks Carl....Laura
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