Parents Claim Adult Child Took Property That Belonged to Them When Moving Out

I really disagree with everyone here...gifts are not the property of the giver, they are the property of the receiver. If mom or dad came here complaining that their 24 year old moved out and took things with him that they had given him as gifts would we be telling them to call the police?

I only took everything that belonged to me, and of those things included furniture and a phone they had bought me a few years ago.

But....every parent buys their kid things like a bed, dresser.

I don't see the word "gift" in here.

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Quoting llworking

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I really disagree with everyone here...gifts are not the property of the giver, they are the property of the receiver. If mom or dad came here complaining that their 24 year old moved out and took things with him that they had given him as gifts would we be telling them to call the police?

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The issue is not that mom and dad gave junior gifts that they want to take back. The issue is that junior took property that his parents purchased, that they contend remain their property, and that only he claims are gifts.

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Quoting Mr. Knowitall

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The issue is not that mom and dad gave junior gifts that they want to take back. The issue is that junior took property that his parents purchased, that they contend remain their property, and that only he claims are gifts.

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Well, then its going to boil down to who is the most credible. I think that the phone would be pretty obvious as a gift. The recliner...who knows?

That's why we have judges. But the point we're trying to make to the OP is that just because his parents provided USE of an item doesn't mean that they gave OWNERSHIP of the item, and that if the parents are willing to pursue the matter, they have avenues via both criminal and civil courts to do so. If he's got evidence that HE PURCHASED the items, that's his only shot at a slam dunk. If the parents can prove they purchased the items, then unless he's got photos of himself unwrapping them as gifts, the parents have better chance of prevailing. MIGHT the OP prevail? Certainly! But the OP might also LOOSE, and if seeking a career in law enforcement, ANY criminal complaint is going to muddy the waters for his future. If he doesn't have the judgment to be able to understand that aspect of the situation, then perhaps a career carrying a gun and needing to make judgment calls isn't for him.

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Quoting llworking

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Well, then its going to boil down to who is the most credible. I think that the phone would be pretty obvious as a gift. The recliner...who knows?

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I don't think it's at all obvious that a phone is a gift. That argument would be more compelling, though, if mom and dad weren't paying the cell phone bill.

I didn't steal anything these items belong to me now, they were given to me as I gift years ago. If you gave someone something as a gift for say their birthday and they used it for years, would you expect it back? And even if you did expect it back, its to late now, that was a gift you chose to give that person. You are right, it would be easier to just give those things back, but they have been putting me down and taking from me most of my whole life, and I'm tired of them thinking they can control me when they cannot anymore. Also, my dad has left my girlfriend very vulgure voice mails demanding those items back and still rent payment, even though I signed no contracts what so ever. I was simply living in the house contributing my part. He told her if I don't give the items back and pay rent still even tho I'm not living there anymore, he will continue to harass us.

Another thing, yes he could take me to court and try to sue me, but he has no evidence or proof of anything or has the money mind you.

I hate to say it, but my dad is a pretty trashy person, which is exactly why I left.

The phone I can understand, if it is paid for, if they bought it for you as a gift, and you are the one paying the bill for it.
The furniture on the other hand is more difficult as I would view it as a residential fixture, in other words just because you sat on the couch more than they did or used the recliner more often it does not transfer ownership to you.

You say you want nothing to do with them anymore then give the items back and wash your hands of them. If he wants to claim you owe rent then tell him to sue you and stop calling.

As you have been repeatedly told, if your parents take action, you are free to try to convince the police or court that your parents are lying and that the items are gifts. Nobody here can promise that they'll believe you.