lost property

" I found a lottery ticket that ended up being a $25,000.00 winner....can I keep it?"


It depends. Tennessee has various rules depending on how the personal property in dispute came into the possession of its current owner. For example, if property is truly lost, which seems to be the case with the lottery ticket, then the finder would hold superior rights to all others except for its true owner. An owner claiming such would have to present proof as to ownership. In all likelihood, the $25,000.00 will be yours.
If property is mislaid, intentionally placed there by the owner and forgotten, then the finder of such would also have less of a right than the owner of the real property where the mislaid property is found. Both of their rights would still be subordinate to the true owner's rights.
Abandoned property is property that has been voluntarily relinquished by its true owner. The finder of such has title over all others, but if the finder is a trespasser, then the owner of the property on which it was found has better title.
Lastly, a buyer of personal property has whatever rights the seller truly had.

These are things that a qualified attorney can assist you with. The staff at the law office of Andrew Farmer can help you with assets or asset defense.