How long do I have to wait before getting rid of an exes belongings
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How long do I have to wait before getting rid of an exes belongings
Has been out of the house for 7 months,
and off of the lease for 5 months. What
can I legally do about her belongings?
Asked on July 18, 2018 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
If you and she were actually married, you cannot discard her belongings until after you divorce: the divorce will, among other things, specify what happens to these items. a
If you and she were not married, there is no hard-and-fast time limit. The best thing to do is to send her letter, sent some way or ways that you can prove delivery (e.g. certified mail; fax so you get confirmation of receipt; etc.), which details how long she has been gone, that she has left items there since then; what the items are; and gives her thirty (30) days at least to come and get them; and also states that if she does not retrieve her items, you will consider them abandoned or discarded and dispose of them. Then send her another such letter after fifeteen (15) days, reiterating the above, stating you she has not responded to your first letter, and stating that she now has 15 days left. If after all that she does not retrieve her items, dispose of them.
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