What can I do if the locks were changed and all my possessions were thrown out?

Question

I am a 67 years old disabled wheelchair bound senior citizen.  I have lived at  35 Woodbine Street for 49 years. In June 2023 my brother gifted the house to his daughter for $1. On June 20 she sent me a text telling me I have 60 days to move out. On August 20th I text her back stating I needed more time.  On August 22 I was hospitalized and on September 8 I was sent to rehab.  The end of October I found out the locks were changed and all my belongings were thrown away.

Roland Godfrey Ottley · Answer

This appears to be an illegal eviction and destruction of property, with several legal violations given your specific circumstances. 
 
1. Illegal Self-Help Eviction 
- Your niece's actions constitute an illegal "self-help" eviction by changing locks and removing belongings without a court order 
- Even as the new property owner, she must follow proper legal eviction procedures through the courts 
- Being hospitalized/in rehab during this time adds additional legal protections 
 
2. Improper Notice 
- A text message is generally not considered proper legal notice for termination of tenancy 
- As a long-term tenant (49 years), you likely have additional notice requirements and protections 
- Your disability status may entitle you to reasonable accommodations in the eviction process 
 
3. Property Destruction 
- Disposing of your belongings without proper notice or opportunity to retrieve them is illegal 
- You may be entitled to compensation for the full value of discarded possessions 
- Document everything you can remember about the disposed items and their approximate value 
 
Immediate steps you should take: 
 
1. Document everything: 
- Save all text messages, emails, and written communications 
- Write down a timeline of events while fresh in your memory 
- Make a detailed inventory of disposed belongings and their value 
- Take photos of changed locks if possible 
 
2. File police reports for: 
- Illegal eviction 
- Breaking and entering 
- Theft/destruction of property 
 
3. Seek emergency legal assistance: 
- Contact your local legal aid organization 
- Reach out to senior advocacy groups 
- Consider contacting disability rights organizations 
 
Potential legal remedies: 
 
1. Emergency injunctive relief to: 
- Regain immediate access to the property 
- Prevent further disposal of belongings 
- Require restoration of your occupancy 
 
2. Civil lawsuit for damages including: 
- Value of destroyed property 
- Costs of temporary housing 
- Emotional distress 
- Statutory damages for illegal eviction 
- Potentially treble (triple) damages due to willful misconduct 
 
3. Criminal complaints: 
- Many jurisdictions treat illegal evictions as criminal offenses 
- Additional charges may apply for elder abuse/exploitation 
 
Your status as a senior citizen with disabilities gives you additional legal protections and may make this case particularly serious under state elder abuse statutes. The combination of your long-term tenancy, disability status, and improper eviction while hospitalized makes this a particularly egregious case.

Q: What can I do if the locks were changed and all my possessions were thrown out?