Assets seized without my consent

Pollycat

Partner-in-debt wrote: »

As she explained it, things were all good when her expenses were planned but whenever something unexpected came up these 1-off items derailed her. I also think it is highly dubious that this has happened but the reality is that I am probably not going to get a proper answer now. As I say, with her credit report not looking too bad, she was obviously paying most of her obligations but could not afford the storage and should therefore never have put her hand up for it at the time. And, as for letting it go for 3 years without making a meaningful contribution to the storage debt, whilst trundling along with everything else and living with me rent free, I have no answer for you...

Do you believe there were enough 'unexpected happenings' to derail her finances - especially as she was earning a good salary and didn't spend anything on herself?
What sort of 'unexpected happenings' did she mention in her explanation?

Sadly, it's not me who needs answers - it's you.
If I were in your position, I would not be happy just to let this go.

Good luck for the future, you've learned a hard lesson.

Partner-in-debt

Pollycat wrote: »

Do you believe there were enough 'unexpected happenings' to derail her finances - especially as she was earning a good salary and didn't spend anything on herself?
What sort of 'unexpected happenings' did she mention in her explanation?

Sadly, it's not me who needs answers - it's you.
If I were in your position, I would not be happy just to let this go.

Good luck for the future, you've learned a hard lesson.

Thanks for your kind words. Like you, I am not happy to let this go, but a satisfactory explanation will only resolve the relationship issues and not rectify the loss. I may be clutching at straws but perhaps I could make some form of a claim against my home insurance as I have suffered a loss, although in this case the items have essentially been defrauded from me not stolen. The only other thing would be to take some form of civil action against my ex, although I have no idea whether that would get me anywhere and I may be better off trying to negotiate some form of restitution from her directly.

Pollycat

Partner-in-debt wrote: »

Thanks for your kind words. Like you, I am not happy to let this go, but a satisfactory explanation will only resolve the relationship issues and not rectify the loss. I may be clutching at straws but perhaps I could make some form of a claim against my home insurance as I have suffered a loss, although in this case the items have essentially been defrauded from me not stolen. The only other thing would be to take some form of civil action against my ex, although I have no idea whether that would get me anywhere and I may be better off trying to negotiate some form of restitution from her directly.

I don't think you stand a cat-in-hell's chance of getting anywhere with your insurers.

You voluntarily entrusted your property to another person who, through her actions, allowed that property to be seized and sold.

You've already said that your insurance only covers loss or damage:

Partner-in-debt wrote: »

The insurance was adequate however this only covers loss or damage incurred by the actions of the removals firm, not any asset disposal for non-payment.

I'm not sure if you could take action through small claims court.
That appears to be for money owed where the person won't pay.
I'm not sure if this situation could be classed an her owing you money. Maybe worth checking if it would be.
Depending how much you would want to claim for, it could cost you between £815 or £910 depending if you do the claim online.

Regarding negotiating some form of restitution from her directly, hasn't she already offered this?

Partner-in-debt wrote: »

She has told me she will make restitution payments towards the loss, but I doubt I will see any of that money.

Why would you need to try to negotiate if she has offered to pay some of the money back?
Or has she changed her mind?

Partner-in-debt wrote: »

I am 100% looking to her, but having already thrown her out, I am looking towards an imminent bankrupt for restitution which we both know is not going to happen.

If she is likely to go bankrupt, what restitution could she possibly give?

I think you are clutching at straws in your last post.
You have already considered most of the things you mention above and discounted them.

I do think that you may have got to the bottom of this if you hadn't thrown her out so quickly but I can totally understand why you did that.

From what you say in your posts - good job, never spends money on herself, never had a penny since you've known her, secretive with bank statements - I would say she either has some habit that was taking all her money or she has a nice little nest egg hidden away.

Savvy_Sue

Partner-in-debt wrote: »

They still have all my personal effects, paperwork, photos, clothes and other things that are unsaleable I guess. But I assume they will not release these until the debt is paid?

More likely they've been disposed of. But you have their details, you can but ask!

happyinflorida

OMG I can't believe anyone would spend £100K on furniture in the first place or have that amount to spend - I'm still getting over the shock of that!

I would certainly go through everything very carefully to find out if there is anything else.

Has she got any debts that she has put in your name?

Has she obtained any finance on your property?

I would get a credit check done on her with every credit check company you can find - money well spent - in case there's anything else she isn't telling you about.

Why has she got into debt?

Is there a reason for it?

She could be ill - this is one of the symptoms of bi-polar.

Is your current property mortgaged to you both?

If yes, you could have a big problem depending on any equity in the property.

I'd suggest she addresses her debt problem by contacting "credit.org" who can counsel her over the debt problem and help sort it all out - she will have to do a bit of work here but may well save her a lot of heart ache later and help sort the debt problem out.

Pollycat

The OP said the furniture was over £100,000 in value, not that he'd actually paid £100,000 for it.

Partner-in-debt wrote: »

The furniture was accumulated over the past decade but was certainly over £100,000 in value.

Re her obtaining finance on their property & whether the property is morgaged, the OP says they sold a large house and moved into a flat - I'd guess that they were renting but I may be wrong.

Partner-in-debt wrote: »

Daytona - we sold a quite large house and moved into a flat with the intention of buying again very soon, and just couldn't find something suitable.

I agree that she needs to sort out her debts - especially as she has apparently been so stupid to drive whilst not insured or taxed - there's lots of advice on the Debt-free Wannabe board but she needs to be ready to face up to her financial situation first.
Unless of course she is really financially savvy and has lots of money salted away over the last 15 years.

dimbo61

Great lot on storage hunters
You put £100,000 worth of assets in storage with No Insurance !!!!
Did you notice the cost of your home Insurance every year ?
You need to declare any item over what £500/1000 to the insurance company.

sc867

DaveTheMus wrote: »

get rid of her, she's a liar.

He's right - 9 times out of 10 when something like this comes to light, it's just the tip of the iceberg.

vuvuzela

dimbo61 wrote: »

Great lot on storage hunters
You put £100,000 worth of assets in storage with No Insurance !!!!
Did you notice the cost of your home Insurance every year ?
You need to declare any item over what £500/1000 to the insurance company.

The OP was asking for help, not unwarranted criticism.

lushbabe12000

You have managed without the furniture for 3 years - it has been a hard lesson learnt, it may be time to let go and get on with your life, being very cautious of any future relationships!!

You could drag this out for ages and it will get you nowhere, think of yourself now before you damage your health which is much more important than material belongings.

Take care..