Needing some thoughts on "bad eggs" (people, in this case)

[LadyWoodsong]

My sister and her husband befriended some people that gave me the heebie-jeebies. They wouldn't listen to me, of course.

These people were having to get out of the place they "bought" (foreclosure perhaps? or sheriff's sale? not sure) since they hadn't been making payments on it. They asked my brother-in-law to take some of their things (a couple old cars, and I'm not sure what else) over to their place to "hide" them during this process. I strongly advised them to have NOTHING to do with these people and not let them bring anything over to their place. My sister agreed with me, but her husband on the other hand went ahead and let them since he has no backbone to tell anyone "no".

Now, my sister and her husband are preparing to go down south for a few months this winter and they want these people to get their stuff out of there. They have asked them to do it, given them deadlines and the people won't. I don't know all the details (don't really want to know!) but I think my sister has threatened them that if they don't get their stuff out of there by such-and-such a date that the stuff will either be gone, or law enforcement will be called, or something to that effect.

Well, the lady of this dysfunctional couple is now threatening my sister saying she's going to call the lawyer and this and that. I'm not sure what foot she thinks she is standing on......but these people are this way: they are users. I tried telling my sister and especially my bil that he was going to be sorry getting wrapped up with these people, but he always sees the best in people and never expect them to take advantage of him. He is such a people-pleaser.

Is there anything you can think of why she would be going to a lawyer, other than it just being a threat of hot-air? Do you think my sister and bil can just get rid of the stuff?

I wish they NEVER would've gotten involved with these people, but they did. I'm just curious if anyone has any similar experiences and what did they do?

 

[wendy]

That seems kind of like a 'he said - she said' kind of thing, if they don't have written agreement and or these people are not paying them to keep these things. I think it is blowing alot of hot air and I would think a lawyer would blow them off. Unless these people give a lawyer a bunch of lies to get invovled. That is just my 2 cents.....

 

[katheria]

have her look up laws in your state for Abandoned property........

in most states i have seen its 30 days.....

and requires a certified letter be sent to the people....

here in texas after that 30 days you can do with the property as you wish......

 

[NYboy]

Lawyers take money, losing their home sounds like they don't have any?

 

[cassie]

A lawyer is just going to tell them to move their stuff or lose it. Wonder if any of it is stolen property. Your relatives are under no legal obligation whatever to care for it, particularly since they are not being paid. I would be a little concerned about retaliation though. They should have someone stay in the house while they are gone. Preferably someone who has a shotgun and knows how to use it.

 

[dandelionheart]

I wonder if they even own the vehicles free & clear or if those are supposed to be repossessed... I'd contact the police with this matter and give them the VIN numbers.

Why would they have the need to hide them otherwise? Your sister and BIL could be in trouble if these vehicles were found instead of reported if they are indeed "stolen" (hidden to prevent repossession). Other than that... just agree with the above (and have them contact their local police department). People like that suck - I wish more people would listen to that little heebie jeebie voice inside.

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

They're probably hiding assets to avoid losing them in bankruptcy proceedings. But, like others said - check your state's abandoned property laws. Here in PA if some one leaves anything on your property you can do with it as you will after 60 days and a notice (I think). send them a certified letter saying get it or we'll sell it.


BUT - if you said sis and BIL are going some where?? And the property will be unattended then you have a much larger problem.... When we were having an issue we notified the local police what was going on - they already knew most of it and told them when we would be gone. They cruised by periodically. We also told the people involved that we were leaving and that if anything happened to our property whatsoever they would be blamed for it and held accountable. I was nervous but nothing happened. The one person eventually went to jail for a nice stint. Escaped (!!!!) and was recaptured and got to stay for a few more years.... Dumb and dumber....

 

[wolftracks]

Quote:
Ditto here in California too.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Haven't looked up the laws here, but the certified letter giving 30 days notice is what I was going to say, then I read tha posts whree that is the exact procedure in at least a couple of states. Calling the police with the VIN numbers is also a good idea. Seems like there is a fair liklihood that the porperty is either something that should have been repossessedor is stolen.

 

[Mattemma]

I would be worried about theft or property damage occuring while gone.They need a house sitter and/or some cams set up.I would want to report the property as abandoned vehicles to be towed,but I would worry about the people damaging my property in retrobution.Regardless I would get the stuff taken away and deal with whatever happens.Hopefully they are just hot air blowers.No benefit for them contacting a lawyer.I mean if they want the stuff they should get it not contact a lawyer so they can keep the stuff in someones yard.

I say get rid of the stuff today.