Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Ohio

Poperty, transfer of Ownership

A friend(A) lived at my house for two months and stored a desk in my garage. After friend(A) moved out two months later to start a new job in a different town, she left the desk. It is now four years later and another friend(B) was interested in the desk. She contacted the original owner friend(A) about obtaining the desk. Friend(A) said she could have it. I said that she obviously abandoned the desk and it is now my property. Who's desk is it? Note: I made no verbal or written contract to store the desk for any time onther than when friend (A) stayed at my house.


Asked on 10/28/97, 9:21 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Gerald Hershenson Law Office of Gerald M. Hershenson

Furniture Left In Garage

It is my opinion that you have a right to claim storage fees that would exceed the value of the desk. I suggest that you seek the advice of legal counsel in the event the dispute continues. You should send notice that you have a claim for storage fees of the desk.

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Answered on 10/28/97, 3:39 pm

Friend(or whatever she is) A still owns the desk.

Sorry, but you and your friend had made no agreement that would enable you to claim ownership of the desk, so all parties remain as they were before she left town.

These facts do not fit some abandoned property law and if it did, it wouldn't be yours anyway; sorry.

You could make a claim for storage fees, but that is aweak argument for a couple of reasons and even if true,it definitely would not entitleyou to keep the desk (unless you happen to own a publicstorage facility and happen to have a signed writtencontract with your friend, etc.), no matter how much the value of the desk or of the storage.

That's my legal opinion.

My personal opinion is that you should call upfriend A and settle it with her yourself, andhopefully get her to understand your feeling of ownership that you developped and call upon her sense of duty to you, etc., etc.

If that doesn't work, then, morally, you should consult a higher authority than me and take whateveraction then seems justified. It may depend also uponthe nature of the friendship from YOUR point of view.

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Answered on 10/28/97, 11:51 pm


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