[Denny6]

First time user here.

A few months ago, my daughter broke up with her fiancé. She lives with us along with their 16 month old son.
Her former fiancé had most of his items in a storage facility that I leased for him in my name. Those items are now cluttering up my house and garage.
Since the break up, he cannot be reached. He has no phone, and we have no idea where he lives. He has not tried in any way to contact my daughter. Or see his only son, for that matter.
My question is this: How long am I obligated to keep this loser's stuff in storage? My daughter, quite frankly, wants to burn it all. I left more than one note with his employer to come and get his stuff, but he has yet to reply. There is nothing of real value among his junk, except for a few tools.
My state of residence is Illinois.

Thank you in advance.

Denny

[makapuu]

I am not a lawyer, but I watch Judge Judy all the time. I think if you can prove that you did all you could to contact him to take his belongings and he doesn't, then he abandoned them and they are now yours. Have a garage sale and use the money to support the child he left behind.

[Cat1864]

The law experts might give you a different opinion on how long to keep the items and what steps to take to dispose of them.

I will say that you should document the steps you have taken so far. Take out an ad in your local paper and/or maybe put it in their on-line classified section with his name stating that on such and such date you are disposing of the items. Give enough time (30 days usually) for him to respond. Call or send a letter to his work since that is the only address you have for him with the same information.

If he has not responded by the given date, go through the things and find what personal items might be important to the child later in life (pictures, yearbooks, possibly the tools, etc.), what can be sold to raise money for the child, what can be donated to charity, etc. Document everything and get receipts. The big thing is to not let anger at the father cause you or your daughter to dispose of items that may end up being the only thing the child has of his father.

[rockie100]

Does this guy have parents in the area? You could ask them as 'the other grandparents' if they would like to take care of this matter for you.

[jmjoseph]

This is not the legal board so this is what I would do.

Have a yard sale and buy the 16 month old something nice with the proceeds. That way, if he DOES come back for the ABANDONED items, tell him the truth. That it went to HIS daughter, and the support of her.

[CaptainRich]

I'm of the opinion that you've made fair and honest attempts to reach him regarding his "stuff."
And, you seem certain he knows of it and it's whereabouts.
Do you have any contractual arrangements to keep and secure these items?
If not, you should sell it to recoup your expenses and cover storage up to this point.

[Denny6]

Thanks again to all that replied.

Cat1864: I think I will do as you suggested.
artlady: I am the only family member that is not consumed with anger for this jerk. Somebody has to keep a level head in this matter. And that would be me.
rockie100: His parents are major league flakes and would be no help whatsoever. Besides, they live in Pennsylvania and are not involved in his life at all.
CaptainRich: There was not contractual arrangement.

Denny

[J_9]

If you are going to follow Cat's advice, let me suggest that the letter you send is sent Certified Mail Return Receipt requested. If done in this manner he cannot dispute that you never sent him the letter as you will have his signature on the receipt for proof of delivery.