§ 514 Wrecked Property Claims Process

Harbors and Navigation Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says that if you find wrecked stuff and claim it within 90 days, a judge can order the officer holding it to give it back to you if you pay a fair amount for saving it and any other needed costs.

Key Takeaways

•You must make your claim within 90 days of finding the wrecked property.
•You need to show enough proof that the property belongs to you, and the judge must be satisfied.
•You have to pay a reasonable amount for salvage and any costs needed to preserve the property.

Example

You discover a car that was in a crash and is sitting in a police lot. You tell the court you own the car and ask for it back within 90 days.

The judge checks your proof, decides you’re the rightful owner, and then tells the officer to hand over the car if you pay the reasonable fees for fixing and keeping it safe.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 514 Wrecked Property Claims Process

If, within 90 days after wrecked property is found, any person claims the property, or its proceeds, and establishes his or her claim by evidence satisfactory to the judge of the superior court, the judge shall make an order directing the officer in whose possession the property or its proceeds may be, to deliver it to the claimant, upon the payment of a reasonable salvage and the necessary expenses of preservation. (Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 930, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

wrecked property superior court judge reasonable salvage necessary expenses of preservation

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 514.

§ 514 Wrecked Property Claims Process

Harbors and Navigation Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 514 Wrecked Property Claims Process

Key Takeaways

•You must make your claim within 90 days of finding the wrecked property.
•You need to show enough proof that the property belongs to you, and the judge must be satisfied.
•You have to pay a reasonable amount for salvage and any costs needed to preserve the property.

Example

You discover a car that was in a crash and is sitting in a police lot. You tell the court you own the car and ask for it back within 90 days.

The judge checks your proof, decides you’re the rightful owner, and then tells the officer to hand over the car if you pay the reasonable fees for fixing and keeping it safe.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 514 Wrecked Property Claims Process

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

wrecked property superior court judge reasonable salvage necessary expenses of preservation

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 514.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References