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Abandoned Property
How long must I keep my ex-wife's property after divorce?

How long must I keep my ex-wife's property after divorce?

Full question:

I am divorced. How long do I have to keep my ex-wife's property by law?

Category: Abandoned Property
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Arkansas

Answer:

When a divorce decree is finalized, the court typically divides marital property equally between both parties. Any property owned before the marriage usually returns to the original owner unless the court decides otherwise. In your case, you must keep your ex-wife's property for thirty days after notifying her. You need to send a notice by certified mail to her last known address, informing her that she has thirty days to remove her belongings. If she does not claim her property within that time, you may remove and store it at her expense for an additional thirty days. If she still does not take possession and pay for storage, her property will be considered abandoned, and she will lose all rights to it.

This process is governed by Arkansas law, specifically under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-315, which outlines the division of property during divorce, and Ark. Code Ann. § 18-27-103, which addresses the abandonment of personal property.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

How long do I have to keep my ex's stuff?

You must keep your ex's belongings for thirty days after notifying them. Send a notice via certified mail to their last known address, giving them thirty days to collect their items. If they do not claim their property within that period, you can store it at their expense for another thirty days. If they still do not retrieve it, the property may be considered abandoned. This process follows Arkansas law under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-315 and Ark. Code Ann. § 18-27-103. *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*

Do I legally have to give my ex his stuff back?

Yes, you are legally required to return your ex's property, but you can set a timeframe for them to collect it. After notifying them by certified mail, they have thirty days to retrieve their belongings. If they fail to do so, you may store the items for an additional thirty days at their expense. If they do not claim the property, it may be deemed abandoned under Arkansas law. *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*

What to do with an ex-husband's belongings?

You should notify your ex-husband about his belongings by sending a certified letter to his last known address. He has thirty days to collect his items. If he does not respond, you can store the items for an additional thirty days at his expense. If he still does not take possession, the belongings may be considered abandoned according to Arkansas law. *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*

Can my ex-wife take my house after divorce?

Typically, the division of property, including the house, is determined during the divorce proceedings. If the house was acquired during the marriage, it may be subject to division. However, if it was owned prior to the marriage, it usually remains with the original owner unless otherwise decided by the court. Always refer to your divorce decree for specific terms. *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*