Need legal advice.

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Good evening on a rainy night in the Sunshine State.

So, my son (the one in the Army), broke up with girlfriend two weeks ago, (long story).

They lived together for about a year and a half at her parents house. When he went into the Army, I tried to get him to store his stuff here, but he felt it would be just fine at his girlfriends house.

After they broke up, he called me and asked me to ride over there and get his stuff which includes, clothes, "X" box, his "strong box" which contains all his banking and financial information, (check books, bank books, SSI information, etc.). I told him I would.

I called their house and left a message, (I was polite and respectful). No response. I called again a few days later. No response. I had my wife "text" a message to the former girlfriend, the Mom and the Dad. No response. I drove over there and knocked on the door, no response, (yes, they were home).

This evening, I had my wife repeat the process, phone calls to everyone as well as text messages to everyone. No response.

According to my wife, she can tell if they have received and read the text messages which she says they have. We have not threated them or been rude in any way but have made a point at being polite and mature about this entire matter.

Now I'm wondering what I can do to get my son's stuff back. Can the police do anything? Should I consult a lawyer?

If it was simply the clothes and the "toys," I'd just walk away. But them having his personal and financial information concerns me.

Any ideas on what I can do to make this happen?

Thanks for any guidance.
 
Have the po-po meet you over there. If she destroys,keeps,or throws away his possessions,she is a criminal and can face legal prosecution.
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Have the po-po meet you over there. If she destroys,keeps,or throws away his possessions,she is a criminal and can face legal prosecution.


Its a civil matter not police matter.

I would recommend registered letter, email or text. Something that is tangible/printable if this ends up in small claims court and stuff still exists by then.

Good luck.
 
Hopefully he learns the stupidity of shacking up from this.

Id write a letter, certified mail, return receipt requested, demanding access to return a list of items (be VERY) specific, leaving a window of 7 days to comply or face legal action. If 7 days go by, then file a police report for stolen items, and see how they proceed. It may be necessary to acquire a search warrant for stolen items given their last known whereabouts.

If they won't handle it, then Id sue the girl and her parents for the approximate value of the items in small claims court, and when they are served, theyll show.
 
Did he pay rent? If he didnt, and got the milk for free, the stuff is now hers

Seriously, there isn't anything I can think of. Tell your son to close those accounts immediately and chalk up to lesson learned
 
No protection of marriage, civil matter. It happened to me, the B even got to keep MY car , later repossessed for non payment.
 
I agree with the above. Type a well-written letter requesting the return of specific items within a specific time frame. Make a copy and have it sent registered mail to a specific recipient with a return receipt so you'll have a signature showing its delivery to that person.

After that, go to the police in the jurisdiction where the parents reside and attempt to file a complaint for stolen property. You may well be told it's a civil matter. Small claims court is a good next suggestion.
 
I doubt the police will touch it- it's a classic "He said-She said" scenario. The next stop would normally be Small Claims Court(AKA: roll the dice). The only problem with that tactic is that your son will have to file the complaint and appear- you can't represent him.
If you have an attorney, see how much he'd charge to write them a demand letter; it might coax them to give the items back- although they may just ignore it as they have with your attempts.
No real good options here- sorry.
 
Cops seem to delight in telling you it's a civil matter, even when they know you've been wronged!
 
Really this is civil matter between your son and his girlfriend and her family. You have no standing in the matter.

You may write a letter requesting the return of your son's property. Really, if your son wants his property, he should start by calling and writing. If he has learned anything as a soldier is his bearing and responsibilities.
 
It will be hard, ultimately you have to prove its your sons if she says it hers. My son went threw the same thing and the officer asked for proof of purchase for everything including his undergarments.

He was supporting her for years she had 2 kids (from a past relationship) she refused to clean or do really anything. She even tried to sue him for child support claiming he was a father figure.

Basically he had to buy everything from her. She was revengeful and still calls him up nearly every week asking for money.

Best I could say is offer her some money for her "time" otherwise if you have to involve the police and they do the same thing as my sons ex did then she will most likely feel confident in doing anything she wants.
 
Reason you need the police to escort you over there is so you'll have legal witness in case it gets ugly,or you could approach them at their door and THEY could call the police and say you threatened them,assaulted them,etc.
 
I think the registered letter and then civil court is probably the bast course of action. Amazing how some people can be so rude....the guy is serving in the military, have some decency. BTW, better check those account balances, she might have stole it....then you'll have a case against her.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Hopefully he learns the stupidity of shacking up from this.


Amen brother! He and I had a long "chat" about this very thing when he did it, but he did it anyway.

He did pay rent and part of the power bill when he was living there as well as buy groceries, (or contribute to the grocery bill).

Great ideas guys - especially the registered letter. I will give them tomorrow to return my calls/texts. If no response, I will send a registered letter on Thursday of this week. If no response from that, a visit to the local police department will be my next move.

Again, great ideas guys - keep 'em coming.
 
Just a bunch of papers, maybe just get the account numbers changed? Is it worth filing a civil suite over?
 
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