Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Missouri

Property left at my home

In April I hired someone to paint my house and do some wood repair. We had a written contract. Job was started. ''Mike'' worked 2 days, was MIA after that.

A month later ''Mike'' reappeared and worked 1/2 day. When he left he left all his equipment in my yard.

Never seen again.....

Hired someone else to finish the job.

A large amount of equipment, power tools, supplies, ladders, etc were left in my back yard.

I never gave permision for any of this to be left in my care.

How long do I have to keep this equipment??????

I checked with the police....They didn't know much.

I am really tired of having all this stuff in my yard.

Thank You


Asked on 8/13/07, 12:35 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony DeWitt Bartimus, Frickleton Robertson & Gorny, PC

Re: Property left at my home

Missouri has a specific law on unclaimed property. You can find it at http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c447.htm and read it there.

Generally, you have to execute an affidavit and you have to publish a notice about the unclaimed property. If you do that and the owner does not appear and claim the property, the right to the property vests in you. At that point, you simply hold a garage sale or auction to recover your losses.

If "Mike" shows up and wants his property, you have to give it to him.

Good luck.

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Answered on 8/13/07, 10:20 am


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