Personal Property Given Away

[65tbirdsteve]

My question involves personal property located in the State of: California\

I was recently bought out from a house on 20 acres of land in Ukiah Ca about 2 years ago by my Ex girlfriend. We parted on good terms and remained friends. I retrieved most of my personal property except mt boat & trailer which I left there to be picked up in the future when I was ready to move it. She said no worries and take your time.
No pick up date or set schedule was established. It has been over a year and a half since I talked to her about the boat. I recently had lunch with her son and asked about the boat and he told me that she had given it away to his friend about 5 months ago but he new were it was and some modifications have been done to the boat. My Ex called to yell at me that I said I was going to pick it up 3 times. Again, no set time or deadline was ever mentioned. She claimed that the realtor said that it was junk and decreasing the value of her property. She said that she did not know how to get ahold of me but yet, she knows address and phone # which hasn't changed in 7 years. Her son knows where I live and works down the street at Starbucks where I have purchased my drinks. Anyway, she did not try to contact me.

Since I am currently the registered owner of the boat and trailer, does she have a right to give away my personal property without my permission or notification? Don't you have to attempt to contact the owner before touching his property? Are there laws in the california code book that protects the personal property owner?

All I want is my boat back and they won't tell me were it is kept abd who they gave it to.

Please help!

Thx,
Steve

[kist]

Call the police, a stolen boat is treated just like a stolen car.

[65tbirdsteve]

I did, and they said that it was a civil matter. Not sure what to do. They said that since it was given away, it was not considered stolen. Hmmmmmmmmmmm

[aaron]

You can always sue your ex-girlfriend for its value in small claims court.

[65tbirdsteve]

Thanks for the info. I do plan on sueing her.What I want is the boat back. Can I file stolen property if she gave it away?

Thx,
Steve