Do I have any legal protection for my property that is at my fiance’s home if I would like to end the engagement?
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Do I have any legal protection for my property that is at my fiance’s home if I would like to end the engagement?
I’ve been engaged for 2 years and dated my fiance for 2.5 years. Shortly after our engagement, I moved most of my belongings, furniture, antiques, my children’s memorabilia, etc. to my fiance’s home which is 1.5 hours drive from where I live and where I work. I live part-time with my elderly parents, as well as my fiance. I help take care of my mother who is severely disabled and my father who is showing signs of dementia. Therefore, my permanent address is listed as my parents not my fiance’s home. My fiance has bipolar disorder and has proven to be irrational, unstable, has anger problems and has threatened me, as well as
denied that his med change isn’t working. He needs to go back to the doctor for a different script and seek counseling. His parents agree with me and have tried to convince him to go to the doctor but they live out of state for some of the year. I have tried to break it off with my fiance but he has sent me numerous unpleasant texts and has called me. He is very angry that I have ignored him. He has started to call my father’s cell and tried to convince him to have me talk to my fianc. I want to move my things out of his home and into a storage unit. I also need to make sure that my ex-fianc doesn’t destroy my things as he has indicated that
Asked on June 6, 2016 under Real Estate Law, Iowa
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Your property is your property: if he keeps it from you or destroys it, you could sue him for its value (and the suit could be resolved by an in-court agreement or court order that, if your property still exists, he return it to you. Such an agreement or order could potentially be enforced with the aid of the police or sheriff, if necessary.) Alternatively, he could be ordered to pay you the monetary value of your belongings.
If he has threatened you, report those threats to the police. You may be able to apply for and get a protective or reatraining order from the courts.
Because of the seriousness of the situation and threat of violence, and to minimize your personal contact with him, you are advised to retain an attorney to help you.
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