My partner and I are going through a messy and sudden breakup. We have been living together for a few years and have a one year old child together. We are not legally married, although we considered each other spouses. I am a Japanese citizen while he is not a citizen but a permanent resident.
Our lease expired before he secured a new place, so we moved out of our home and moved our furniture and personal belongings into a storage unit. We were temporarily staying with his mother until our break-up 3 weeks ago. I left with our baby to go stay with a friend (my child’s godmother). I chose to leave due to physical, verbal, and financial abuse. He has since stated that he no longer wants to be a father or partner and I have been blocked from all communication.
I would like to be able to access my and my baby’s items in the storage unit, but he is holding these items “hostage” and is refusing to give me the key. It’s getting colder and my child needs fall/winter clothes.
Do I legally have any right to my items in the container, despite the contract being under his name and us not being legally married? I have photos of the inside of the storage unit, and can definitely name everything in there since I packed the boxes myself. Some of the items include documents with my name on them.
Can/will the police help me? Would this be considered theft? Are my items considered stolen? I would greatly appreciate information from anyone who might be able to help. He spent all of my savings so I am unable to hire a lawyer at this time.
Please be kind, I’m doing my best. Thanks in advance.
6 comments
Go to the police and a lawyer.
You absolutely have rights to the stuff, but it might take a while. Ideally the police will talk to him, he’ll get spooked and give your stuff back
First, I want to congratulate you for having the courage to leave him. It’s not easy to do what you did. So for your question, I think it really depends on the contract and the individual situation. You can definitely ask a lawyer for free, search 法テラス. It’s a free lawyer consulting system set up by the government so it’s legit. You should also go to the city hall and ask for financial aid / support you could get for you and your kid. Many places can introduce you to community pantries and other support systems around your area. City hall would also usually have somewhere to talk about DV. It might be called 女性相談室.
This is kind of a baffling post. You’re a Japanese citizen asking Reddit if the Japanese police will help you? Why don’t you ask the police?
> Can/will the police help me? Would this be considered theft? Are my items considered stolen?
It’s possible that they will consider the items stolen and assist, and costs you nothing to ask for assistance. It helps that they are not being held in a residence, but a storage unit. Be prepared, though, that you will need to remove all the items at once and find an alternative place to store them.
Have you tried contacting his mother? Tell her you need the baby items, and set up a date for someone to pick them up.
You might also ask the storage unit management. Show your pics, bring ID and anything that could prove a relationship to the guy.
Registered letter.
Check with a lawyer.
Firstly I think you did the most important thing, getting your kid out of the situation. As far as I know, the important stuff can be re-issued. Best of luck dear.