Allen v. Anderson

Joyce Anderson and Jerry Allen were involved in a long-term, non-marital relationship. Upon separation, the parties entered into a settlement agreement stating that each should have ownership of personal property in their respective possession. Allen later claimed some of the items Anderson took were his and filed a motion seeking recovery of those items through enforcement of the terms of the settlement agreement. The district court determined that Allen failed to claim the personal property at issue in a timely fashion and thus effectively abandoned his claim to it. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision that Allen had no claim to the property at issue but did so on separate grounds. The Court concluded that the settlement agreement granted ownership of the real property, including the shed in which the items at issue were located, to Anderson free of any claim or demand of Allen. All personal property on the land therefore was in Anderson's possession and granted to her under the terms of the settlement agreement. View "Allen v. Anderson" on Justia Law