A personal property question

[Ozzie101]

I know laws can vary. I'm in a situation where I may need to leave -- and leave secretly and quickly. I've heard before that, sometimes, when a person leaves their home and partner, in the law's eyes, they're abandoning whatever belongings they left. Anyone have any knowledge about this?

[zachira]

It is best to consult a lawyer, as laws vary from state to state, and sometimes there are differences depending on what city or county you live in. You can sometimes get a free consult by interviewing different lawyers you might be interested in working with, some time in the future. If you live in California or Texas, Nolo has great books for doing your own case, or just to answer basic legal questions on different topics. Some lawyers and law firms have good articles on their web sites as well. Also, there are good law libraries where the public can sometimes do research for free, though you usually have to pay for a membership if you want to check materials out, though there are always photocopiers available.

[flourdust]

I agree -- 60 minutes with a lawyer is worth more than weeks of online research. Some family law attorneys offer free initial consultations -- for others, there's a fee of $200-500. It's money well-spent.

[Ozzie101]

Thanks. Fortunately, my parents have a friend who's a divorce lawyer -- which I didn't realize. My dad filled him in and I'm going to call him to get some preliminary advice.

[flourdust]

That's great! Does the friend practice in your state? Divorce laws vary state by state, so if the lawyer is out of state, the advice might be a bit generic ... .but still helpful!