stolen matrimonial property..she's taken the family PC..

[globalpilot76]

She's probably thinking that somehow...if she had a friend hack into the family computer, she might find something that could get tossed at me in upcoming hearings...so she took the family PC and won't return it...

There is an interim order in place that gives custody and occupancy of the home on a week on / week off rotational basis.

We have had only one session before a mediator in an attempt at bridging some issues but this 'minor' issue has not come up yet...and at $350/hr...it's not worth tying up the mediator's time with..but I have been pondering that a motion (self representation) to have it returned might be worthwhile..

Comments and experiences welcome..

[shellshocked22]

Unless there is irreplacable data on it, a PC is worth maybe a $100 ? Not worth it (maybe "borrow" something of hers though lol).

[globalpilot76]

Unless there is irreplacable data on it, a PC is worth maybe a $100 ? Not worth it (maybe "borrow" something of hers though lol).

Hmmmm....well there is...and on the second point...already considered that, but it will only lead to a tit-4-tat taking of items until the house is empty...and I'm standing with a cement saw poised over the car....

I'd prefer, therefore to look at legal options that would;
a ) see the return of the computer
b) send a very clear message regarding further 'borrowing'

I would love to hear from anyone with experience in family on the issue of the return of matrimonial property..

[Lorac]

My ex sold quite a bit of furnishings while I was out of the house...fridge, stove, washer, dryer, tools. The fact that he sold them didn't bother me, what bothered me more was his thought that he was entitled to all the money from the sale because I was the one that left. My apartment came with a fridge and stove and a laundry room. It got to the point where I didn't care anymore just as long as I had peace of mind and soul. I don't have an answer as to how to retrieve the computer, I would suggest you take a camera and go around the house taking pictures of all yours and her belongings for future reference.

[tmac]

Lorca, did you get settlement with the loss of assets? how did it work out?

[inseperationhell]

I took pictures of everything in the house. On the financial statements, I put a list of what was removed and no longer in the matrimonial home. A value was put to those possessions during mediation and my stbx was giving 2 options - that value is calculated for the equalization payment or those items are included in the division of property.

[billm]

Hmmmm....well there is...and on the second point...already considered that, but it will only lead to a tit-4-tat taking of items until the house is empty...and I'm standing with a cement saw poised over the car....

I'd prefer, therefore to look at legal options that would;
a ) see the return of the computer
b) send a very clear message regarding further 'borrowing'

I would love to hear from anyone with experience in family on the issue of the return of matrimonial property..

If you can't figure this out between you, the lawyers will get all the money, and you will still not get the computer.

Make sure you secure anything that is not replaceable, and document everything else.

Then tell her explicitly what data you need from the computer, or ask that you have access to it for a short time so you can get it yourself - or give her a USB disk drive and ask her to back up all the data onto it so you have a copy.

Involving the courts to settle individual things is a bad bad idea.

[BeenThereTwice]

You ask for "comments and experiences".

My comment is:

a) STOP worrying about the little stuff.

b) If a stupid PC is the biggest problem you have, then you are wasting your time at this forum, and wasting our time too.

[blinkandimgone]

I disagree, a lot of valuable information and files may be on the computer, financial info, family photos, work files etc that would be of more value than the computer itself.

Today the computer, tomorrow the other electronics, then the car, furniture....how long do you roll over for?

[BeenThereTwice]

OP says nothing about such "valuable information".

I still say don't sweat the small stuff.

As for the "stuff" you mention.. let her come take them all one at a time. Just keep track of it all and send her a running tally of what stuff she has taken. Who gives a s**t about such petty things. She won't take the car.

How long do you roll over.. the answer is a little more. The goal is to get the final ending and to be DONE with her once and for all.. not to get the damn stereo and some DVD's.

Pick your battles... and this ain't the one.

Oh.. and change the locks so she can't come in alone again.

[blinkandimgone]

They share the home on a rotating basis, he can't change the locks. 'Small stuff' is a matter of perspective, isn't it? A $200 computer may be pocket change to someone who makes 85 - 100K/year but notsomuch to someone who makes half that - or less. The computer may only be worth a couple hundred, but to replace it and the contents will cost a lot more.

Just because the OP doesn't mention what's on it, doesn't make his concerns any less valid.

[BeenThereTwice]

Then by all means.. fight about it.

[globalpilot76]

post re-done...did not show right away

[BeenThereTwice]

I read ALL the posts in this thread carefully, and fully understood all of them. Sorry my advice doesn't meet your own ideas. If you prefer.. than as I suggested "fight about it". My advice was "don't sweat the small stuff". My advice stands.

[globalpilot76]

Been There Twice...

I would suggest you re-read both my original post and the follow up to ShellShocked's question regarding 'valuable data' to which I replied in the affirmative..

Aside from the very valuable data a computer may hold, a desktop can run the gamet from a 100 Hock Shop special to a multi-thousand dollar machine designed for a specific function(s)
I had no idea you knew the value of mine...

I would suggest before berating a poster that you read a little more carefully and not make assumptions...

just a thought.