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Marthe48

(20,433 posts) Mon Mar 24, 2025, 10:55 AM Mar 24

Who owns a letter? [View all]

The person who wrote it? Or the recipient? Is a letter like a gift, once given, property of the recipient?

I just gave an old letter to a cousin, written by her Dad to my Mom. They passed away years ago, and I thought she'd like having it. But I wondered if they were still alive, which one would have more of a claim?

10 replies

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Who owns a letter? [View all] Marthe48 Mar 24 OP

I would imagine the recipient would be the owner. iscooterliberally Mar 24 #1

In a case where both the writer and recipient have died, I would think the chosen heir of the recipient would assume Harker Mar 24 #2

What an interesting question. 3catwoman3 Mar 24 #3

I thought so Marthe48 Mar 24 #4

I have a least a dozen letters written by a paternal great-grandfather... 3catwoman3 Mar 24 #6

Those are treasures. Marthe48 Mar 24 #7

And what a loss it would be if I could not read cursive. 3catwoman3 Mar 24 #8

The recipient is the "owner" of the letter. LoisB Mar 24 #5

Seems Right To Me ProfessorGAC Mar 24 #9

Exactly how I see it. LoisB Mar 24 #10