How long does it take for personal property to be "legally abandoned"?

Question

An old friend on mine asked me for help about a month back. He explained to me that his old Camaro was in danger at his residence, due to a disgruntled ex-girlfriend. It's not driveable, and he had it towed into my Pole Barn. I agreed to store it for him, at no cost, under the agreement that he would either come back, fix it, make it driveable, and take it to a storage facility or he would pay me a fair amount for storage costs within 3 weeks. I've been trying to get a hold of him for the past week, but I suspect that he is screening my calls. My question is how long do I have to keep trying to get a hold of him before I can finally get rid of it? Once it's "legally abandoned" do I legally own it? Do I have the right to get rid of it even if I can't get a hold of him to give him notice? It's taking up a lot of space in my Barn, which is a problem for me, because I do part time mechanic work out of there, and it's taking up most of my work space. I do not want to s***w an old friend over, but he's breeched our agreement. Any advice? Thank you for your time in advance.

I live in Michigan if that helps.

Answer 1

I'm really just guessing, but I think 30 days is what's considered "abandonment."  The thing is, you have to give him a "reasonable" amount of time before you just dispose of his property.  I would leave him a message saying that you are disposing of the vehicle on such-and-such a date (30 days after your 3-week agreement, or at least 2 weeks from today, whatever's later), and then do it.  A certified letter would be even better.  

That might be above and beyond your legal obligation, I don't know, BUT if he tried to sue you or anything, I imagine he would have no case.  You will have made every attempt to be reasonable, and he will have made no attempt to contact you.  Just know that he might make up anything he wants - "HE wouldn't return MY calls," "he only gave me 10 days," etc., so gather any evidence or witnesses you can before you sell the vehicle.

ETA:  That's an interesting thought.  Maybe call a tow company and tell them that the vehicle was abandoned on your property.  It's worth a shot.  Then the owner will have the option of getting it back.

Answer 2

It is on your property. He was to get back to you in three weeks. He failed to - violation of verbal agreement. Put the vehicle on the side of the road.

Leave him a message to that effect and if he ignores you after three days of repeated calls, do it.

Answer 3

.   In rental property situations it is abandoned after 10 days and the rent must have been unpaid for that month.  Did you accept any money or anything of value when you agreed to "store" the car?  That could complicate things.  Otherwise, i would mail a letter to his last known address and keep a copy for yourself.  Then hang on for 90 more days.  Not because you need to wait.  You don't.  But because i have had this happen more than once and the person always showed up 1 day after i put their stuff in the dumpster.  Always.  Then i wondered why i couldn't have waited for one more day because they are so upset.