Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

Abandoned Property

My neighbor's husband died in Oct. She lost everything and stayed with me for two months rent free. She was accepted by HUD and I told her she had to leave. She never moved into the HUD apt. She is ADHD and bipolar and very difficult to deal with. She was angry and moved out most of her stuff. I have no way to contact her since I don't know where she is. She left behind some of her property and her daughter told me she doesn't want it and didn't want to talk to me. My question is: What is the law regarding this abandoned property? I would like to donate these items to Thrift Town or Salvation Army. Is that legal? Please direct me to the right place in our laws that address this situation. I have helped her and her daughter by loaning them $820. I don't want it back if that makes any difference. They are ill and very poor. Thank You.


Asked on 5/15/09, 1:39 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alan Wagner Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore P.A.

Re: Abandoned Property

It in some measure may depend on whatthe property is. The answer would be different for a car as opposed to small item. You should first use and document that you have used every reasonable step to find her so she can have her property. That is only fair, especially since she has very little. Ask the daughter if she knows where she is; ask her friends, etcetera. If you can't find her after all the reasonable steps to do so then, personally, if the items are easy to store, I would stick them in a box in the closet and wait about a year and before tossingthem would make a final effort to locate her.

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Answered on 5/15/09, 1:50 pm


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