Can my Ex Boyfriend sue me for items?

[AG17]

Me and my ex boyfriend were recently dating for one year. We recently broke up just yesterday because he was apparently "bored" of me and cheated. Thats not the point. He is in the army and has left to iraq 2 months ago. He left his items including clothes, A medal of achievment, shoes, his dog tags and a hookah. The day following the break up he demanded i give him his items back or he will have me arrested with the cops. I refuse to return to him his belongings. I notified him about a compromise i was willing to make. I told him if he paid for shipping and costs of his items being delievered to him. I would give them back. Heres the promblem. He is trying to sue me on theft. Mind you he left his things on MY property. Im sure this is a law that states what ever items left on someonelses property becomes the persons who is living on the property. Also he has given me gifts(a promise ring and a laptop) which he is also trying to sue for. You cannot sue for a gift someone has given you correct?

-I am 17 years old and he is 19 years old
-Me nor my family cannot be sued or go to court for that matter. Our finances are not doing well at all.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

No he can't sue you.
You can't refuse his items, that would be theft, but you've said you'll give them back if he pays for the cost of that. That's reasonable and I very much doubt a court would rule with him based on that.
Hasn't he got family here who could collect?

[AG17]

no, unfortunatley he has family in louisianna...

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I don't know enough about the gift thing to advise you.
Not sure who would have to have the proof for that one. Frankly, I'd just let him have the lot and have a clean slate, but that's just me.
Things don't automatically become yours just because they are in your house though.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I would just tell him he can have it if he collects it or arranges collection of i, whether that's through a parcel company or a friend is up to him. Put that in writing and keep a copy and proof that you sent it to him.

[AG17]

well thankyou though
I was pretty sure they did. I took a law studies class and that was mentioned.
To be honest i really dont want to do him any favors by sending it to him. If he planned to cheat on me why would he leave his belongings.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Well I'm in the UK so that might be different. I'd check your state laws first and see what they say.
As for the rest, I stand by it. You've made a reasonable offer to return his stuff and he's refused it. The onus is on him now.

[AG17]

Yes but he disagreed to the shipping cost and him paying for it.
He gave me a reply of "ok well see".
I Also mentioned that would be my one and only offer.
if he refuses to take it well im sorry. but i will not pay for the shipping of someone useless to me. He should have been more careful with placement of his things and his own actions

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I quite agree. He left the stuff there. It's his responsibility to pay and organise getting it back, not yours.
Just don't lose your temper and damage it. It's still his stuff.

[AG17]

Hes very lucky i have not lost my temper.
I am angry and stressed though
Church and going for jogs are what keep me going:)
thankyouu so much!<3

[bednobs]

1) things are very early - if you only split up yesterday, and he only contacted you about the things today, then things may still work themselves out. theft is to permanently deprive someone of something that is theirs - i would hardly constitute 1/2 a day as permanent
2) as far as i know you can't be taken to civil court until you are 18
3) take the offensive. Notify him that unless he arranges the removal of the things off of your property within say 30 days, you will dispose of them. Send letter recorded delivery

[joko]

i very much doubt th e police will bother with this even if he did call them...they have proper things to do...

ignore him him, hes just trying his luck in hopin you will just do as he asks for fear...

he hasnt a leg to stand on

and no ...things do not become your property just because they are in your house...that would be ridiculous

[lushlar]

when he rings your doorbell he can have them

[boxtops]

The laws may be different here in the UK, but if it were me I would box up his stuff in a strong box and write his name on it, so there is no intention of keeping it, and wait until the opportunity arises to give it back - perhaps when he is home on leave. I'd have thought he needs his dog tags with him, serving soldiers are supposed to wear them all the time especially in war scenarios as he appears to be. We have specialist postage rates to soldiers overseas - isn't that the same in the US? - so it might not cost as much as you think. You're not stealing as long as you keep his stuff separately and have every intention of giving his stuff back.