2023 Delaware Code › Title 25 - Property › Chapter 40. RIGHTS AND TITLE TO ABANDONED PERSONAL PROPERTY › § 4003. Procedure to obtain title.

§ 4003. Procedure to obtain title.
(a) Any person who holds, stores, safekeeps or otherwise is left with possession of any abandoned personal property may be vested with complete right and title to said abandoned personal property upon application to a court of competent jurisdiction. The petition filed pursuant to this subsection shall be executed under oath and penalty of perjury and shall include the following:
(1) A complete description of the property including all identification and registration numbers if applicable;
(2) The name and last known address of the owner or owners of the property;
(3) The names and addresses of any persons who claim to or have an interest or lien in the subject property;
(4) A statement that the petitioner has conducted a lien search concerning the subject property for any liens filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and, if applicable, that the petitioner has conducted a title and lien search with the Division of Motor Vehicles concerning any lienholders that may have an interest in any motor vehicle, and the reports of the Secretary of State and the Division of Motor Vehicles resulting from the searches shall be attached to the petition;
(5) If a motor vehicle, a statement that the petitioner has had the vehicle examined and approved for sale by the auto theft unit or a civilian auto theft technician of the Delaware State Police;
(6) A statement of the value of the subject property; and
(7) A statement by the petitioner that the property has been abandoned as defined by § 4001 of this title and the owner of the property is not an infant or incompetent person, and is not a member of the military.
(b) Upon receipt of a petition which is made pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the court shall send a notice and a copy of the petition and a Request for Information Form requesting the party who receives the notice and petition to provide all information concerning the identification and address of all other owners and/or lienholders of said abandoned property by certified mail or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the owners, secured parties of record, any known lienholder of the property, and any other persons whose names and addresses are listed in the petition. The petitioner shall further cause notice of filing of the petition to be posted in 5 or more public places and shall advertise the fact that the petition has been filed in a newspaper published and/or circulated in the county in which the petition was filed. The notice shall include a copy of the petition and shall include the following information:
(1) A statement that a petition has been made with the court;
(2) A statement that the owner or other person has a legal right to a hearing in the courts and that if a hearing is desired then the owner or other person shall file with the court an answer to the petition;
(3) A statement that if an answer is filed a hearing will be promptly scheduled and the owners or other interested persons may appear to contest the claim;
(4) A statement that the court will enter a judgment in favor of the petitioner unless an answer is filed within 20 days after the date on which the notice was mailed;
(5) A statement that the person may be liable for costs if a judgment is entered in favor of the petitioner.
(c) If the court receives an answer described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the court shall notify the petitioner and all parties of the hearing date to determine ownership of the subject property. If no answer is filed pursuant to paragraph (b)(3) of this section and there are no lienholders or other interested party, then the court shall issue an order declaring that the petitioner has full right, title and interest to the said abandoned property.
(d) The form of the applications, notices and declarations described in this section shall be prescribed by the court of competent jurisdiction. The language used in the applications, notices and declarations should be simple and nontechnical.
72 Del. Laws, c. 192, §  1;  74 Del. Laws, c. 110, §  139;  75 Del. Laws, c. 237, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 21, §§  2, 3;