I have just traced my father after 25 years. He lived with his new wife in Panama, South America. She is American (USA) and he is British.

He brought her to UK in 2000, then they married in UK in 2002 then went firstly to America, then moved to Panama, South America, where he died 1 year ago

He has left no will.

His new wife is now dealing with his estate. She has moved back from Panama to Florida where she came from originally.

She has decided to give me his car which has been locked away in a lock-up near Portsmouth, UK, since they left in 2002.

The keys have been sent over and the paperwork has now been transferred to me. I am the legal owner of the car.

However, when we were given the keys we were only then able to open the boot of the car which has my father's private paperwork locked away.

This paperwork seemingly offers private and confidential information about him, prior to 2002 when his new wife married him.

It is almost as though he was keeping something's from her. Also in there were videos of his holidays with the person he was with prior to meeting his new wife.

I am interested in writing a story and using what I've found as part of my story, but am very concerned about the legality of ownership.

Is the paperwork mine because it was in the car, or is it hers because it was his possessions.

If it is hers, I need to hand it back and probably not do the story. If it is mine it will not upset her and I will be able to do the story.

Does anyone have any information about the status of this? If anyone has any links to websites that offer an answer, it would be great.

Thanks.

I have just traced my father after 25 years. He lived with his new wife in Panama, South America. She is American (USA) and he is British.

He brought her to UK in 2000, then they married in UK in 2002 then went firstly to America, then moved to Panama, South America, where he died 1 year ago

He has left no will.

His new wife is now dealing with his estate. She has moved back from Panama to Florida where she came from originally.

She has decided to give me his car which has been locked away in a lock-up near Portsmouth, UK, since they left in 2002.

The keys have been sent over and the paperwork has now been transferred to me. I am the legal owner of the car.

However, when we were given the keys we were only then able to open the boot of the car which has my father's private paperwork locked away.

This paperwork seemingly offers private and confidential information about him, prior to 2002 when his new wife married him.

It is almost as though he was keeping somethings from her. Also in there were videos of his holidays with the person he was with prior to meeting his new wife.

I am interested in writing a story and using what I've found as part of my story, but am very concerned about the legality of ownership.

Is the paperwork mine because it was in the car, or is it hers because it was his posessions.

If it is hers, I need to hand it back and probably not do the story. If it is mine it will not upset her and I will be able to do the story.

Does anyone have any information about the status of this? If anyone has any links to websites that offer an answer, it would be great.

Thanks.



Write the book and change some of the info around so the parties are not readily identifiable. Or ask an Attorney.

I see, legal or illegal, this turning into a legal battle - win, lose or draw - if you don't have sound legal advice and go ahead with your plans to write a tell all book (which this would appear it is).

The other thought is - and this is not the legal end of things - won't this be remarkably painful to the "new" wife, depending on what you intend to publish?