Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Maryland

left property

I had a male friend who lived with me for 3 years over 3 years ago. When he left he took most of his property but left a few larger things in my shed & yard. I asked him repeatedly to get the items he left. He got the items from the shed about 3 months after leaving while I was at work but left the larger items in my yard. When I talked with him about a year later I told him I wanted theitems removed because I was cleaning my yard and if he didn't get them I would assume he didn't want them and get rid of them. He picked up the car from my yard soon after while I was at work. That was about a year and a half to two years ago but left a plow. The plow had remained in the yard since he left which was 3 plus years ago. Several months ago I noticed the plow was gone and assumed he finally picked it up. I hadn't gotten rid of it before as I told him I would because I couldn't find anyone to take it. It was very heavy. Yesterday a man came to pick up the plow saying my former friend had sent them. I don't know what happened to the plow. I had assumed he had already taken it. Am I liable for items he left behind over 3 years ago that I asked him every time I would hear from him to please get out of my yard


Asked on 7/19/07, 8:24 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: left property

You are not responsible for these items. You gave your friend ample opportunity to recover his property, and leaving them in your yard, given their size, was the only practical thing to do. Given the passage of time, the law would consider these items to have been abandoned by your friend. If there are any items remaining, you could dispose of them or sell them and your friend would have no recourse. But to be on the safe side, if you choose to do this, I would give him a deadline and let him know your intentions.

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Answered on 7/19/07, 10:25 am


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