what kind of lawyer do i need to retrieve persoal property back

by Glennie Langworth 8 min read

Full Answer

How can a criminal attorney help me get my property back?

An attorney can help you understand your rights and legal options according to your state’s laws regarding the matter. Your criminal attorney can guide you through the process of getting your property back, and will also be able to represent you in court, as needed.

Is there a court order to retrieve personal property?

Finally, in order to retrieve property that is subject to a forfeiture action, you will generally be required to attend a formal hearing under oath regarding the property. Whether there is such a thing as a court order to retrieve personal property, this would more so apply to retrieving property through a writ of possession.

How can I get my property back from a previous owner?

You can ask the court for an order that your property be returned to you. In other states, like Massachusetts, you can request monetary damages only.

How to file a personal property recovery suit?

Here is a summary of the steps: 1 The first thing you need to do is fill out a Complaint for Recovery of Personal Property Form (Complaint). 2 Next you need to get and fill out a Personal Property Recovery Summons (Summons). ... 3 Next you need to have copies of the complaint and the summons delivered to the person you are suing. ... More items...

What to do if someone has your belongings and won't give them back?

File a Civil Lawsuit As your case is a civil matter, you need to file a lawsuit in a small claims court demanding the return of your personal property. You must pay the required fees and conform with the requirements before you file your case. This will likely be a tort claim for restitution or a claim for conversion.

How can I get my property back from someone in Illinois?

If your property (other than real estate ; land, house, or apartment) has been wrongfully taken or kept, you can ask the court to have it returned to you. This is called “replevin.” You must be the legal owner of the property or lawfully entitled to possess it.

How do I file a Replevin in Illinois?

The procedure for filing a replevin begins with the plaintiff filing a complaint and subsequently making a motion requesting that the court enter an order for replevin by identifying the goods or chattels at issue. Thereafter, an order for replevin will issue and the property will be seized pursuant to the court order.

How long can someone leave their belongings on your property in Illinois?

Typically, 30 days is considered to be a reasonable notice period. Providing this notice rather than simply disposing of the property will protect the landlord against claims of theft or conversion of property. For more on this topic, check out: The Illinois Eviction Process Explained.

How do I get my personal belongings back from my ex?

8 Tips for Recovering Your Stuff After a Breakup"Wait for the rage to subside." ... "But don't wait too long." ... "Decide what you actually need." ... "Send a text." ... "Get in, get out." ... "Keep gifts, return heirlooms." ... "If your ex demands a gift back, take the high road." ... "Find a good place for anything left over."More items...•

What constitutes abandonment of property in Illinois?

Section 15-1507, any personal property remaining in or upon the abandoned residential property shall be deemed to have been abandoned by the owner of such personal property and may be disposed of or donated by the holder of the certificate of sale (or, if none, by the purchaser at the sale).

What is Detinue law?

The unlawful detention of chattel of another person who has a right of immediate possession to it. Refusal to return it upon demand by the owner who is in immediate possession of the property.

What is meant by replevin?

1. An action seeking return of personal property wrongfully taken or held by the defendant. Rules on replevin actions vary by jurisdiction.

Can you sue someone for destroying your property?

Property damage cases are one of the regular types of lawsuits that come before judges in small claims courts regularly—they're a staple. In most cases, a plaintiff files an action against a defendant claiming that the defendant negligently (accidentally) or intentionally damaged the plaintiff's property.

How long does something have to be in your possession for it to be yours?

StateAdverse Possession StatuteTime Required (in Years) for Continuous PossessionCaliforniaCal. Civ. Proc. Code § 3255 (taxes)ColoradoColo. Rev. Stat. § § 38-41-101, 38-41-10818, 7 (deed, taxes)ConnecticutConn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-57515DelawareDel. Code Ann. tit. 10 § 79012047 more rows

How do you get possession of property?

In a real estate transaction, possession occurs when the buyer takes ownership of a property after signing closing documents. After the sale is recorded with the local government and the purchase funds have been received by the seller, ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer.

What is the law regarding lost and found property?

If you find goods that appear to be lost, then you can keep the goods as long as: You did not find the goods dishonestly or while trespassing. You take care of the goods – you will be liable for any damage caused to the goods while they are in your care. You did not find the goods on your employers' property.

What happens if your ex doesn't let you get your property back?

When your ex is not letting you get your personal property back, it may make you want to retaliate. This is not in your interest. Your ex may feel like they are entitled to your stuff because you are no longer living there and left the stuff behind after you initially moved out.

What happens if you don't pick up your personal property?

If you set a date and do not pick up your personal property, there are some instances where you may lose out on getting it back at all. This is especially true if you and your significant other were not married. If you set a date and your ex fails to let you pick up your belongings, you will need to request an order from the court in order to get your personal property back.

What is the difference between personal property and marital property?

If you were married, it is important to understand the differences between personal property and marital property. Marital property refers to any items that are bought or acquired during the course of the marriage. However, before you or your ex make claim to any items, your state laws will ultimately determine who the items belong to. ...

How to retrieve things from ex?

When you have already moved out and want to retrieve your belongings, you should start by requesting to your ex that you want to pick your items up. This should be done in a way where you can save a copy of the correspondence. An email or a text message should suffice. Depending on how well you and your ex get along, below are a few things to consider when planning to retrieve your belongings.

How long does it take to get your house out of your possessions?

In many cases, you are supposed to be given a minimum of 30 days in order to remove the rest of your personal property from the residence.

Can you take property from someone you married before divorce?

Any property that you owned before you were married is considered separate property and you can legally take it. These belongings that you owned previously will not be divided in the divorce proceedings. There are only a few legal exceptions to this rule and are usually based around the property gaining an increased value as a result of the marriage.

Can you keep your personal items when you move out?

You will be able to find out which personal items are legally yours to keep. If you do take marital property with you when you move out, you should be sure to inform your spouse during the divorce proceedings. It is illegal to keep any items you took a secret. Keep in mind, however, some of the items that you choose to take initially might be deemed a marital asset and might either have to be given a cash value to split or you may have to give it back.

How to get your property back?

The second way to get your property back is to file in the District Court a "Complaint for Summary Proceeding to Recover Personal Property. ”. A hearing can be held as soon as seven days after the complaint has been served on the person who is holding your property. If you win, the judge will order that your property be returned.

What to do if you don't know which court to file in?

If you don't know which court to file in, call any District Court Clerk. Ask for the name and address of the District Court that serves on of the above locations.

Will I Be Asked To Pay All Of The Court Costs?

Yes. If you can't afford to pay the filing fee or the costs of service, however, you can get a form called Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees and an Indigency Affidavit. Get these forms from any District Court clerk, or get them online (see below). Fill them out and return them to the clerk. Your signature on the Affidavit form must be notarized. If the judge agrees that you don't have enough money, you won't have to pay the fees. (If you need help with filling out these forms, go to our page on Court Fee Waivers .)

How Do I Notify The Other Person About The Court Hearing?

Once your paperwork is ready, you will need to ask the sheriff’s office to make “personal service” of the papers on the Defendant. These are the papers you will give to the sheriff:

What Should I Expect If The Defendant Does Show Up?

If the defendant does show up, the judge will first ask you to tell him what the case is about. You should explain clearly that you own certain property and that the defendant has it and will not give it back. If you have receipts or other papers showing that you own the property, show them to the judge. If you have brought witnesses who can testify that they have first-hand knowledge that you own the property, ask the judge to allow them to testify. You can then ask your witnesses to tell the judge how they know that you own the property.

Is There Any Way I Can Get Back My Personal Property If It Is Being Held By My Landlord Or Someone Else?

Yes. If someone has taken your personal property without your permission, you can get a court order that allows you to get the property back .

What do you need to know before filing an action for replevin?

Before filing an action for replevin, you must know the name and address of the defendant. Determine where the property is located in order to file your action in the correct court.

How to file a replevin complaint?

Prepare a Complaint for Replevin. Attach any proof of a bill of sale, title to the property, and photographs of the property to your complaint. The replevin complaint should include a complete and accurate description of the property sought.

What is replevin in court?

Replevin is the legal action you can use to get your personal property back when someone has wrongfully taken it and refuses to give it back. If this happens, you may also recover financial losses as a result of the wrongful taking of property or because you were unable to use the property for a period of time.

How long does it take to get a Writ of Replevin?

File the original documents with the court. Serve copies of each document on the defendant (s). If the defendant does not respond within 20 days , file for a default. After default or final hearing, the judge will enter a final judgment. Then, the clerk will issue a Writ of Replevin.

What do you need to do in a replevin action?

In an action for replevin, you must provide a written, detailed description of the property that has been taken from you for identification purposes. You must also include: An explanation of how the person or organization holding the property is wrong to keep it from you. If is also helpful to provide photographs, model numbers, serial numbers, ...

Can you file a civil lawsuit against someone who has not returned property?

You may file a civil lawsuit (non-criminal lawsuit) in court to obtain a court document called a “Writ of Replevin.”. You can use a Writ of Replevin to release personal property or to obtain payment from an individual who has failed to return the property. You must choose a circuit court that has jurisdiction over your property.

What happens when police confiscate property?

When police seized property used or involved in an illegal activity, state or federal law often allows the government to take the property and start forfeiture proceedings. If successful, the forfeited property becomes the property of the government—meaning the owner will not get the property back, even when the case is long over.

What happens to personal property in police station?

Personal property can end up in the police station evidence locker even when it was not owned by the person arrested for the crime. For example, the clothing of a sexual assault victim may contain evidence of the attacker’s bodily fluids that, when tested, can be compared to the defendant’s profile. The prosecutor will keep it for that reason. Or, if you’ve been robbed of your cell phone, that phone might eventually be shown to you in court when you’re asked to identify it as yours (earlier, the arresting officer will have testified that it’s the phone he found when he searched the defendant upon arrest). Again, a homeowner’s burgled property won’t be returned to him until the case is definitively over (post-appeals).

What is forfeiture law?

Forfeiture laws allow law enforcement to seize and sell (for their benefit) items such as cars used to commit or flee a crime. Police can also keep cash that represents the proceeds of a crime (say money from drug sales). When property is subject to forfeiture, time can be of the essence. Forfeiture can happen even before the owner has been charged with a crime, let alone convicted.

What do you do when you are arrested?

These items put into a locker or storage room for safekeeping. The jail personnel should give arrestees an inventory of everything taken , described sufficiently to enable identification. Authorities defend this practice as a way to ensure that weapons or contraband do not enter the facility, and to lessen the chances that belongings will go missing.

What do you do when you are arrested by police?

When police arrest and take a person to jail, the arrestee must hand over their personal effects, including their clothing and anything in their pockets, purses, and bags. Jail personnel will place these items into a locker or storage room for safekeeping and should give arrestees an inventory (receipt) of everything taken.

What happens if the government doesn't return property?

If the government fails to return the property, the owner can file a motion in court seeking the return of the property. A person might even ask the court to make the government return the property earlier on the basis that the government doesn’t actually have a need for it (for instance, the government can’t keep the property merely because it might be relevant to a future investigation).

Can you take confiscated property back?

Seized property that isn’t contraband or forfeited must generally be returned once the government (prosecution or police) no longer has a need for it. This might be as soon as charges are dismissed, or it could take as long as waiting for all related criminal proceedings to wrap up, which could include post-conviction motions, appeals, or a retrial. In other cases, the owner might need to take the matter to court.

Where Can I Find the Right Lawyer?

LegalMatch.com is a fast, free, and confidential online platform to help you find the right lawyer for your case. LegalMatch.com provides attorney-client matching services based on the type of case, type of lawyer needed, and your location.

What Do Probate and Estate Planning Lawyers Do?

Probating a will includes distributing property after a decedent, or individual who passed away, under court supervision. Guardianship is when an adult is appointed by the court to care for a minor child or a minor child’s property, such as a trust fund. Emancipation occurs when a minor child is granted certain rights of an adult, such as signing contracts. Conservatorship occurs when an adult is appointed to care for another adult who cannot care for themselves.

What Do Criminal Lawyers Do?

Criminal cases usually involve a prosecutor, a defendant and a defense attorney. A criminal lawyer is also sometimes called a defense attorney. These lawyers can be hired by the defendant or appointed by the court to represent the defendant.

Why do you need a lawyer for a contract?

Even in transactional civil matters, such as drafting a contract, a lawyer can be very helpful. A lawyer can make sure contracts are drafted correctly and avoid problems at a later date. A real estate purchase, business purchase, and/or creation of a trademark or copyright will most likely involve a lawyer.

What kind of services do lawyers provide?

Lawyers can provide a wide range of services to their clients. Some lawyers handle many different types of cases. Some lawyers specialize in one or two types, such as family and divorce law.

What is a lawyer?

A lawyer is an individual who is licensed to practice law in a state. Lawyers are also known as attorneys or an attorney at law. Some lawyers are licensed in multiple states. Some lawyers are admitted to practice at the Federal level as well.

Why is it important to have a family lawyer?

It is important in divorce cases for an individual to have a family lawyer representing them to ensure their rights are protected.

How long does it take for a police officer to retrieve a property?

The police escort the defendant to the property. However, the defendant may only have a limited amount of time to retrieve his or her belongings, often 15 minutes. This may mean that the defendant winds up leaving some property behind.

What assets can a defendant have in a no contact order?

The defendant may have assets in the home, including money, assets of particular value, personal belongings, clothes, toiletries, a vehicle and other items of significant monetary or sentimental value. There may be a number of ways that the individual can acquire his or her personal property when a no contact order is in place.

Can a defendant's lawyer contact the victim?

Another option may be for the defendant’s lawyer to contact the victim’s lawyer in order to make arrangements. If the victim does not have a lawyer, the defendant’s lawyer may be able to contact the victim directly regarding this matter. However, the drawback of this potential option is that the victim may be uncooperative or hostile, ...

Can a defendant petition for restraining order?

Court Relief. The defendant may be able to petition the court for assistance in gathering his or her personal belongings. This is more likely to be granted with a family court restraining order rather than if a criminal no contact order has been issued.

What is it called when you get your property back?

Getting your property back by court order is called restitution . It is an equitable remedy which means that it is only used in a situation where fair play demands restitution . When restitution is permitted in a small claims court, the judge can order that a particular piece of property be transferred to its original owner when fairness requires it. For example, if you sell an item of personal property, and the buyer fails to pay for it, you may prefer to get your property back than to win a judgment for money that you may never collect.

Why is small claims court so easy?

One of the reasons small claims court is so fast and easy is that, generally, only monetary damages are permitted. While some small claims courts hear certain eviction matters, none litigate divorce, bankruptcy, antitrust or other complex cases. Some small claims courts will order the return of your personal property as an alternative ...

What is alternative dispute resolution?

Try alternative dispute resolution, a mediation strategy offered by the court in lieu of a hearing. This service is usually much cheaper if not free and can be a legally binding alternative to hashing out your problems in court.

Can you make someone return your property in Ohio?

Ohio State Property Lien Laws. You can make someone return your personal property or pay you its value in small claims court. When you file your claim, establish that the property is yours and you want it back, even if you ask for monetary damages.

Can a small claims court order the return of personal property?

Some small claims courts will order the return of your personal property as an alternative to its monetary value. That means the court can order the defendant to either pay you the amount established to be the value of that property – up to the monetary claim limit of the particular state's court – or in the alternative, ...

Can you sue for restitution in Maine?

Some states, like Maine, expressly permit you to sue for restitution in small claims court. You can ask the court for an order that your property be returned to you. In other states, like Massachusetts, you can request monetary damages only.

What to do if a former spouse cannot come to an arrangement?

If, for some reason, the former couple cannot come to an arrangement themselves, it may be useful to enlist the help of a neutral third party. For example, if one partner does not trust the other to remove only personal items from the home, it may be better to contact a friend or family member that both spouses trust.

What is Personal Property?

Personal property includes the vast majority of things that an individual owns. These things may be valuable, or have no monetary value at all. For example, items like clothing, makeup, or personal hygiene supplies may not be worth anything at all, but they can be very important to the person who is missing them.

What happens if one spouse moves out and takes all of the furniture in the house?

For instance, if one spouse moves out and takes all of the furniture in the house, it may cost several thousand dollars for the other person to replace these items. When property is not fairly divided in the initial stages of a divorce, it can make it difficult to equitably divide assets later on.

What happens when you divide property in a divorce?

When dividing property in a divorce settlement, emotions can run high.