Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida
I began storing some items for a friend approximately 7 years ago; he passed away on September 2, 2010. At that time I notified his son, ex-wife, and possibly one sibling about the belongings and they said they would be in touch with me, most likely coming to retrieve my friend's possessions. They had my phone number and address and neither has changed since that time. As of today I still have his possessions in a storage unit I pay for each month and none of his family has attempted to contact me. Do the items ever become my property? If so, what date would that be? I live in FL (as did my friend) and his possessions are also here.
It is possible I have chosen the wrong area of law since I was thinking this has to do with property, but that is not an optional area.
3 Answers from Attorneys
I would consider them abandoned and yours.
Technically the items don't change from your deceased friend's ownership to yours just by the passage of time. You may want to consider filing a probate of his Estate to clear title to the property. You can file a claim for the storage charges you have incurred. Seek some legal advice.
Since no one contacted you, I doubt seriously if anyone ever filed a probate and that would just be another added expense that unless his property was worth more than the filing fees and attorney fees (as you must have an attorney in Florida to probate) as well as the storage fees that you have paid, you would be in debt and his family probably would not pay since they had no respect to contact you.
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