How do I protect myself?

[Nan D]

I live in Oklahoma, this past summer I helped a person from my church after she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for child molestation. She lead me to believe that if I didn't help her get her car and the things from her home that she didn't have anyone to help and she would lose everything. A sister flew in from another state and we made a verbal agreement that I would store her sister's property until her prison sentence was over. I only did this to keep them from having to pay for storage which would have been in excess of $150 per month possibly for 10 years. I spent literally every weekend this summer over at this person's house packing her belongings, I even took her dog in. It took every weekend from the 1st of July to the end of Sept., because I have 2 kids, a job, and was trying to recoup from the injuries I sustain in the car wreck, it took some time. Not only did it take time, but I had to foot the bill for the gas. I never complained since I was using her vehicle. I had just totaled my car in a wreck so I made arrangements to drive her car so that I would have transportation for her stuff to my house. I was able to do that until the car was reposessed. Now 4 months later I recieve a call from her sister that they want to transfer all of her stuff somewhere, because the prisoner is mad because I have not had the time to go see her. My question is because I feel such a vindictivness from this person I want to be protected in case she comes back to say I stole anything from her. Is there a legal document that I need to have before I release her stuff? Some of her furniture was damaged in the move and some of her boxes got wet and damaged. I was told by her sister not to worry, but I can't evidently can't take their word. Do I have an entitlement due to the fact I have stored at great discomfort to my household this woman's possessions? I've had to cram all this furniture into a mobile home to the point where I had to take out some of my belongings to accomodate her things. My mother is storing some of her large appliances. I would love to be able to make them pay for my time and the physical work involved in this, but they threatened to sue me. I'm a Christian and sueing would be the last thing I would think of doing. With just verbal agreement and no written agreement what do I need to do?

 

[JETX]

Q1) "Is there a legal document that I need to have before I release her stuff?"
A1) Make an inventory of all the property and its condition. Then, have the sister (or whoever will take custody) sign it and add a statement that this consistutes all the property and hereby releases you of any further claims and that they accept FULL responsibility for all the property and its condition. (Personally, they are a fool if they sign it and there is still a potential liability on your part since there is no release by the owner to them, but it might help to mitigate your liability).

Q2) "Some of her furniture was damaged in the move and some of her boxes got wet and damaged. I was told by her sister not to worry, but I can't evidently can't take their word."
A2) Note the damage on the inventory. In fact, it could be helpful to you for you to take pictures or to videotape the property and its condition.

Q3) "Do I have an entitlement due to the fact I have stored at great discomfort to my household this woman's possessions?"
A3) Unless an agreement of compensation was made PRIOR to the bailment, you can't make one now.

Q4) "I would love to be able to make them pay for my time and the physical work involved in this, but they threatened to sue me."
A4) See A3.

 

[Nan D]

Thank you, my questions were answered.