Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

Family Member Abandoned Items

I recently took in my mother, sister, and nephew. They were not paying rent although my sister and mother had an arrangement where she would watch my nephew before and after school. When they moved out to Virginia from Neveda my mother brought over a trailer full of belongings. About a month or so after they arrived my mother decided to give two weeks notice to my sister and leave at which time she left all of her belongings and expects us to ship them back to her in Nevada. My sister has refused to do this as she does not feel obligated. Since neither my sister or mother were paying rent what laws to I have to abide. Can I give these items away to Salvation Army? Do I need to hold onto them for any period of time? Do I need to give any legal notice before getting rid of them? It is taking up quite a bit of space in my house at this time. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.


Asked on 12/29/06, 1:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Family Member Abandoned Items

You could send written notice to your mother than she has 60 days from the date of receiving your letter to pick up her items of personal property which she has left(abandoned?)at your residence, and that if she fails to retrieve her items by that deadline, then you will dispose of them as you see fit, including gifting some or all of them to the Salvation Army.

Keep a copy then of the letter for your (family) records.

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Answered on 12/29/06, 4:09 pm


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