"" A Paradise Valley, Arizona home renovation uncovered a surprising stash of cash, but the discovery sparked a court fight over ownership.
A worker discovered four military-style ammunition cans packed with cash during a kitchen and bathroom remodel. The total was $500,000. The cans were traced to Robert A. Spann, who lived in the house until his death in 2001.
Spann was known for hiding valuables at home, including cash, gold, stocks, and bonds. His daughters, Kim Spann and Karen Spann Grande, had previously found hidden valuables in other homes.
The new owners, Sarina Jennings and Clinton McCallum, and the contractor sued each other over who should get the cash. Karen Spann Grande, acting as the personal representative of her father’s estate, filed a probate petition arguing the cash belonged to the estate.
In a unanimous decision on May 31, 2012, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that the cash belonged to Spann’s estate, citing the “mislaid property” rules under Arizona common law. The court found no evidence the estate intended to give up rights to the cash, and the $500,000 stayed with Spann’s estate.
The case highlights the importance of understanding the difference between found and owned property, even when the cash is literally inside your home.
