Abandonded property

[wavehopper27]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts

My 21 year old son and I had a major falling out and he moved out back towards the end of May leaving most of his posessions behind. I have no idea where he moved to.

My question is:

How can I legally go about clearing out all his stuff?

 

[FarmerJ]

Do you know if he filed a change of address card with the post office ?

 

[wavehopper27]

I'm guessing he didn't since I still get his mail which I regularly mark as return to sender.

 

[adjusterjack]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts

My 21 year old son and I had a major falling out and he moved out back towards the end of May leaving most of his posessions behind. I have no idea where he moved to.

My question is:

How can I legally go about clearing out all his stuff?

If you want to do it "legally" it's going to cost you a great deal of time and money and you'll probably have to go to court because the laws about abandoned property don't adequately address one's offspring moving out and leaving stuff behind.

I suggest a common sense approach.

Start by gathering up all his stuff and moving it into one place, maybe the room he stayed in, maybe the garage.

Then photograph every item while making a written inventory. Save all that to your computer so you can make duplicates if you have to.

Now give me an idea of what "all his stuff" is comprised of and I'll tell you the next step.

 

[wavehopper27]

Junk is probably a better word to describe it.

Were talking a few clothes, a couple of lamps and some other miscellaneous stuff.

I'd probably put a value of maybe $300 for everything and thats being generous. I just know he will raise hell if he ever tries to get his stuff and I don't have it anymore.

 

[quincy]

Junk is probably a better word to describe it.

Were talking a few clothes, a couple of lamps and some other miscellaneous stuff.

I'd probably put a value of maybe $300 for everything and thats being generous. I just know he will raise hell if he ever tries to get his stuff and I don't have it anymore.

To be safe, you should follow the abandoned property laws of Massachusetts - this especially if you believe your son will "raise hell" if you've disposed of his property and you don't have the law to back you up.

I hope, however, that you and your son can resolve any differences before property-disposal is necessary.

Good luck.

 

[LdiJ]

Junk is probably a better word to describe it.

Were talking a few clothes, a couple of lamps and some other miscellaneous stuff.

I'd probably put a value of maybe $300 for everything and thats being generous. I just know he will raise hell if he ever tries to get his stuff and I don't have it anymore.

It sounds like you do not even care if you make up with him or not. Marking his mail as "return to sender" and talking about getting rid of his stuff sound like someone who doesn't want to make up. Maybe it would be better to slow down and breathe for a little while.

 

[wavehopper27]

It sounds like you do not even care if you make up with him or not. Marking his mail as "return to sender" and talking about getting rid of his stuff sound like someone who doesn't want to make up. Maybe it would be better to slow down and breathe for a little while.

Let's just say that his actions and behavior towards me and my wife was reprehensible to put it mildly. I don't wish him harm but he has no place in my life. The rest of my family want nothing to do with him either.

 

[LdiJ]

Let's just say that his actions and behavior towards me and my wife was reprehensible to put it mildly. I don't wish him harm but he has no place in my life. The rest of my family want nothing to do with him either.

That is very sad. I hope that you do not regret it later on down the road, when you have grandchildren you have never met.

 

[wavehopper27]

That is very sad.

Yes it is.