Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

Re: property rights

Not much of a marriage if she is now your girlfriend (smile). In Florida, there is no such thing as a common law marriage -- so she really just went from one boyfriend to another.

Absent an agreementon the issue of rent, he has no right to demand it and no right to her property, but after 14 years of living with him, it may be difficulkt for her to prove what is hers and what is his and whose money it was bought with. Those issues make it one that the police will not bother trying to sort out who owns what.

Next time she moves out, tell hert to be sure to pack up her stuff on the way out the door.

She can always bring a suit for return of the items, and that may be her only viable alternative at this point.

Re: property rights

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If she wants to reclaim what she believes is her belongings, she will probably need to file a suit in the appropriate court. The Sheriff's office has properly stated that they will not get involved in a dispute between a former boyfriend and girlfriend which is a civil matter. If the parties cannot agree on a resulution, then only a judge can decide.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.