What Can I Do If My Ex Left His Belongings and Won’t Pick Them Up?

This question came from one of our users:

What are my rights when my ex moved out of my home and refuses to retrieve his belongings? I have an Order of Protection against him and the judge verbally told him to get his items with police presence. It has been going on for a year and he has not retrieved his items. I texted and sent emails to him.

If your ex has not retrieved his belongings for a year, despite court instructions and your attempts to contact him, you likely have the legal right to consider the items abandoned. Depending on your state’s laws, you may be able to dispose of, donate, or sell the items after giving formal notice. Since you have an Order of Protection, follow any court-ordered procedures and involve law enforcement if needed.

Your Rights and Next Steps

Your Ex Likely Has Abandoned the Property

• Since it has been a year, and you have made efforts (texts and emails) to have him retrieve his belongings, many states would consider the items abandoned.

• Abandonment laws vary, but courts often recognize a reasonable time frame (which is usually far less than a year) for someone to collect their property.

Follow the Terms of the Order of Protection

• If the judge verbally ordered your ex to collect his items with police presence, but he has not done so, you may want to ask the court for written clarification or further instructions.

Send a Final Notice (If Required in Your State)

• Some states require formal written notice before disposing of someone’s property.

• This could be a certified letter giving him a deadline to retrieve his belongings before they are considered abandoned.

Disposing of the Items

• Depending on your state’s laws, if the items are legally considered abandoned, you may be allowed to discard, donate, or sell them.

• If you’re unsure, you can file a motion with the court to request legal permission to remove or dispose of the property.

What You Should Do Next

• Check your state’s abandonment property laws.

• If required, send a formal notice (certified mail) giving a final deadline.

• Contact an attorney or file a motion with the court if you want official permission to dispose of the items.

• If you fear retaliation, talk to law enforcement before taking action.

Since you have an Order of Protection, your safety comes first. If your ex suddenly demands his belongings, follow any court-ordered procedures, and involve the police if needed.

Designed for general information use only. The content above does not constitute legal advice or the formation of an attorney/client relationship.