Q: Is there a way to retrieve my childhood belongings from my dad's ex-wife?
My dad recently settled (not sure if that's the right word) a divorce from my step-mom of 30 years (I'm 33). She was given the house I grew up in and with that has decided that means everything in the house is hers now too. After the lengthy and painful divorce, my dad just wants to move forward, but there are items in the basement that are priceless to me (ornaments, photos, yearbooks, etc.). Is the only way for me to retrieve them by hiring a lawyer?
A: It sounds like those items belong to either your father or his now ex-wife. Entitlement to those items is goverened by the divorce decree. If your father does not want to pursue it, it may be that your only recourse is to appeal to her good nature. Good luck with that.
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