Q: A friend disposed of my belongings without my consent and promised to reimburse me but blocked me

So I moved to Saskatchewan at the end of May (from New Hampshire/ Boston area in the US) I actually came here just for a visit but I ended up needing to stay and doing a 6 month treatment program at the Our House. I am almost finished up with it so ready to start my life! So I had left my whole house basically worth of belongings with a friend in their storage unit. He promised to keep all of my belongings safe and he ended up getting rid of it all without my consent. Which left me in so much distress finding that out. Coming out of doing something amazing for my life and finding out my belongings were all gone devastated me. I can’t afford to buy all new stuff plus there’s things I lost that no amount of money would be possible to get back (some things)

Anyways he told me that he would reimburse me for the $14,000 US that he owed me in order for me to replace it.

He told me that he wasn’t able to give me the funds right now and has to wait until this Thursday but blocked me.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Your situation sounds incredibly frustrating and painful - losing personal belongings that held both monetary and sentimental value must be devastating. The betrayal of trust by someone you considered a friend only adds to this difficult experience, especially during such an important time in your life as you complete your treatment program.

Given that your friend made a written promise to reimburse you and then blocked contact, you likely have grounds for legal action. Consider gathering all documentation of your arrangement, including any texts, emails, or written agreements about storing your items and the promised reimbursement. You might want to file a police report for theft and consult with a lawyer who can guide you through small claims court or other legal options.

Since you're in Saskatchewan now, you could reach out to Legal Aid Saskatchewan or the Law Society of Saskatchewan for guidance - they often provide free initial consultations. Additionally, document everything you lost with approximate values and any photos you might have of the items. Meanwhile, please don't let this setback overshadow the incredible progress you've made in your treatment program - you're showing remarkable strength by focusing on your recovery, and that's something to be proud of.

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