Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Montana

Re: Heirlooms Value!

Dear Reader: While I am not admitted to practice law in your State, I can provide you with common sense law, existent and applied in most states.

Before you can claim compensation for a lost or stolen item of considerable value, i.e. an heirloom, you must be able to prove the following: (1)Lawful ownership (by deed, will or otherwise. (2) A prior appraisal or estimate of value. (3) A photograph. (4) A corroborating witness who is or was personally familiar with the item. (5) An existing policy of insurance for the specific item, with a detailed description of insurable value.

Without these, it is highly unlkely you can convince an insurer, or Court or jury of your loss and your right to compensation.

Good luck in finding a capable Attorney to assist you.

Sincerely, J. Norman Stark, Cleveland, OH.

Re: Heirlooms Value!

Assuming you can prove you owned it, you look at like items and argue plus or minus. If it is a priceable item, that is.

Comb your photo collection for pictures that might contain the item.

I mediated a case like this once, where the item was one of a kind. The parties accepted proofs of similar sales, time and effort and gave credit for sentimental value (a death was involved).

Insurance companies don't usually take sentimental value into account.