[lynhurst]

I stored furniture in a friend's house for 10 years. They used the furniture and when I went to get it, they say it is theirs. Is the furniture mine or theirs?

[joypulv]

No court in the land is going to rule in your favor after 10 years, unless you have something in writing signed by both parties agreeing to it. 'Abandoned property' statutes vary by locale, often county or city but possibly by state (in the US) and are usually 30, 60, or 90 days.

[ScottGem]

Were you in constant contact with this friend? Was there an agreement to store? Did they ever notify you to remove the furniture?

Any question on law needs to include your general local as laws vary by area.

[lynhurst]

Were you in constant contact with this friend? Was there an agreement to store? Did they ever notify you to remove the furniture?

Any question on law needs to include your general local as laws vary by area.

Yes I was in constant contact with them. They offered to store the furniture. They never notified me to remove the furniture.

[fredg]

I am not a lawyer, nor a professional in this area. However, IF the furniture is worth a lot of money (which would be determined by you by "a lot"), you might think about seeing a lawyer, getting advice on what to do.. I do wish you the best. If it is worth a lot, then they probably will keep it, depending on what you do legally. It's worth a try, in your area, to find out.

[JudyKayTee]

My feeling is that after 10 years the Court is not going to be interested and if the Court is interested the furniture is going to be worth so little due to depreciation that there will be no "award."

I don't know where you are but after 10 years it is probably legally abandoned or a gift.

[odinn7]

I wonder if they could turn around and charge you for 10 years of storage for the furniture?

[JudyKayTee]

You can't create an agreement where there wasn't an agreement - but could they make the argument?

You bet!

[ScottGem]

I am not a lawyer, nor a professional in this area.

Then why are you responding to a legal question. As another member noted, the items are over 10 years old, so their value won't be much, unless they are antiques.

[ScottGem]

Yes I was in constant contact with them. They offered to store the furniture. They never notified me to remove the furniture.

This may be the only leg you have to stand on. Since they gave no notification and there was no issue of not being able to contact you, you MIGHT be able to get a court to agree that they had no right to confiscate your property without a warning. But you would have to take them to court, in that case.

[joypulv]

In 2008 you asked here about a townhouse you had purchased. If your friends are tasting sour grapes about what that cost, and time lapsed (while you did renovations?), and about lack of warning about taking away what they have been used to, then I can see a legal battle that you will probably lose, unless (again) you have something in writing.
To my mind there is something lacking between friends when someone just shows up to take away furniture after 10 years. How 'constant' was the contact? When was the last time you were in touch with them about your plans, before showing up?

[JudyKayTee]

Great research, Joy!