Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Idaho

Grandmothers property

30 years ago my grandmother loaned a sewing machine to the local museum that was just starting up. She specifically told the curators that it was a loan. I have witnesses to the conversation. Now the museum is refusing to give the sewing machine back saying it was deeded to the new museum from the old museum. I need to know if there is any thing that may help my position as I am going to take it to small claims court. Also, the museum does not have any documentation on the machine showing it was ever donated. All parties to the transaction are now deceased, other than my witnesses to the conversation.


Asked on 6/14/01, 2:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gass Timothy Gass Law Office

Re: Grandmothers property

If you file a small claim action you will only get

the value of the sewing machine, not the machine itself.

If you want to get the machine then you need to file a

Complaint against the museum for recovery of the personal

property itself.

To prove the case in small claims court you must have

witnesses to testify to the fact that the sewing machine was

only loaned to the museum and someone with knowledge of the

value of old sewing machines, usually someone in the business of

buying and selling them in the community where the case

is filed.

If you wanted me to represent you in this, I charge $120 per hour

or I could refer you to someone else if you wished.

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Answered on 6/29/01, 11:39 am


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