CanI legally take my personal belongings whenmove out of my mother’s house, including toysthat Iplayed with as a child?
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CanI legally take my personal belongings whenmove out of my mother’s house, including toysthat Iplayed with as a child?
Since I was little my sister and I were given Barbie dolls as birthday and X-mas gifts. I am moving and looking to take them with me. However, my mother is threatening me, saying that nothing was ever given and if I take them she will take me to court. There are also Beanie Babies and Furbys, some of which I bought as a child with my allowance. Additionally, because my mother thought they were collectible she started buying them for us.
Asked on July 14, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, New Jersey
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
The law in all State sof this country is that if an object was given to someone as a present, then the recipient of the gift owns it unless given to someone else or abandoned.
If your mother or other people gave you the Beanie Babies and other articles, she cannot now take them back legally claiming they are hers unless you gave them to her or abandoned ownership of them
From your question, it seems clear you were given the articles, did not give them to your mother nor did you abandon ownership of them. You have every right to take your gifted possessions with you when you move out of your mother's home.
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