Salvage agreement for metal detector?

[neo]

Anyone have a template I can print out to use. Not sure what it should say exactly except for splitting anything found on owners property 50/50.

 

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[mh9162013]

What kind of hunt would warrant such a legal agreement, yet not be worth hiring an actual attorney?

 

[Deep1]

That is a situation that I have never cared to get into.
Who is going to determine the value of the relics? How are they going to be split? Is each person going to pick what they want? Or are you going to sell everything and split the money?
The only way I would do something like this, is if I knew for a fact that there was enough value on the property to be able to hire a lawyer to execute a proper contract and know that I would still have enough money left over to make it worth my while.

 

[mh9162013]

That is a situation that I have never cared to get into.
Who is going to determine the value of the relics? How are they going to be split? Is each person going to pick what they want? Or are you going to sell everything and split the money?
The only way I would do something like this, is if I knew for a fact that there was enough value on the property to be able to hire a lawyer to execute a proper contract and know that I would still have enough money left over to make it worth my while.

Exactly. There are so many questions and potential issues. It's best to either ignore them (and feign ignorance) or hire a legal professional to help you CYA. Remember, if you hire an attorney and they miss something, you have a potential legal malpractice claim against them. That's some pretty strong motivation for them to not only do a thorough job, but find a way to compensate you or make you happy if they screw up.

Then there are the issues of what happens if you damage something (or they think you did)? Who pays for the damage? Their property insurance company? Your insurance (assuming you have umbrella coverage)? What if you get hurt? Who's insurance kicks in? Things get even more tricky when commercial activity is involved, which is what an insurance company of a personal and non-commercial policy is bound to make.

 

[sprailroad]

And to think,.....there was a time when it was just a hobby.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

 

[mh9162013]

And to think,.....there was a time when it was just a hobby.

That was a time when many people were honest and lived by a code of honor and integrity.

Now, it's a "what's-in-it-for-me" society.

 

[dash4cash]

That was a time when many people were honest and lived by a code of honor and integrity.

Now, it's a "what's-in-it-for-me" society.

For the most part I have to agree and that's too bad.

Carl

 

[neo]

I was reading an older book that said this was a good idea but seems like it's not. What should I do after asking a property owners permission and then assuming I find something.

 

[mh9162013]

I was reading an older book that said this was a good idea but seems like it's not. What should I do after asking a property owners permission and then assuming I find something.

This is what I would do. Not saying you should do it, but here's how I would approach this situation.

I'd speak with the owner to get the permission. During this process, I'd be reading this person to see whether they're the honorable or greedy and litigious type. I'd only hunt their property if I not only got permission, but didn't get a sense that they would go back on their word, sue me or anything like that.

As for what to do about the finds, I would tell them I will show them everything I find, but I get to keep whatever I find. If they ask about keeping what I find (or some variation, like a 50/50 split, right of first refusal, etc.), I'd tell them they're more than welcome to join me in the hunt, but things get too complicated if we start discussing details. If they don't like this arrangement (either explicitly or implicitly through a subtle change in tone, body language, etc.), I'll just walk away and find somewhere else to hunt.

 

[jeff of pa]

I put myself in the place of the Land owner.
If someone approached me & Asked me to Sign something , I'd say no !
& If they tried a second Time I'd Warn them about Trespassing !

On the Other Hand, IF I approached a Land owner about Hunting for Something, I'd offer to Split

(Gentleman's Agreement)

If the Land owner brought up the idea of a Legal Contract.
for reasons of safety from lawsuit if I get Hurt, or value. I'd consider it,
IF I feel it is Worth it to Me.

I Would not Sign a Contract that says I Will leave things as I Found them.
Less then Honest Land owners can Always find a broken Blade of Grass that
needs a Professional Landscaper to satisfy them

 

[G.I.B.]

My picking up the trash on their property is their payment....