Legal Question in Civil Litigation in North Carolina

Hate to even say this but my son and his girlfriend live with me in my house and pay no rent. I have found out that they have been stealing things from myself and my ex-wife my son's mother and pawning then. All the pawn tickets are in her name where she pawned them. What kind of recourse do myself and my ex-wife have. She has a very expensive TV, and lots of expensive electronic games, my question is by law can we hold these things from her until she returns our stuff she has stolen and pawned from us. I do not wish for then to go to jail,but would like to teach then some hard love. I would appreciate any ideas you may have...Thank You!!

Allen


Asked on 2/15/12, 5:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

If you want to resolve this matter in house without involving law enforcement then you need to simply confront your son and his girlfriend, demand that they return your property and then deal with the issue of the theft and the living arrangement as you see fit. You should not use 'self help' to hold the girlfriends property. If this were my choice, I would report the items stolen, collect my property from the pawn shop (which is obligated to return them to you at no cost to you if you can prove ownership) have my son and girlfriend arrested and terminate the livng arrangement. At least you can take solace in the possibility that your son was smart enough to have the pawn slips put in his girlfriends name.

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Answered on 2/15/12, 7:23 pm


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