You do realize that he's trying to wear you down so that you will say "enough already" and sign the documents? Well, if your grandmother owned the home and the old guy who lived there collected the stuff, he can't claim those as needing to be replaced. Technically, they belong to your side of the family.
As for the craftsman cabinet. Based on the age, it might be worth only half of what he's claiming. Depending upon the condition. As for the grinder, they can't be that expensive. Now the boat motors...that would be different story.
Do yourself a favor and go out on Craig's List and see what some of that stuff is going for today. Make copies of those ads and then have them ready to present because those items are "used" and no longer have the same dollar value as to when they were new.
Seriously, if I had this problem, I would call those people up who have the boat motors and advise them when you are coming to town and that you will be arranging to have them picked up. I would pick them up and drop them off at his truck at the court house and I would make sure to get photos to show that he got them. What is he going to do w/boat motors living in an apartment? Wouldn't they be considered marital property if they were purchased when you two were married? If that's the case, you keep one and either get the other one and/or pay him the used motor. That would be dividing marital property down the middle.
I could fix this man's wagon very quickly if he were giving me the blues like he's giving you. He wants boat motors, oh, I could definitely give him boat motors and used tools, etc., prices for sure.
As for your mother, consider the source and don't tell her your business when it comes to your salary. Is she paying your expenses? No, then don't share. She doesn't need any additional fodder to talk about concerning you.
Get cracking on the used tool listing and I bet you'll discover just what that stuff is worth and it won't be what he's claiming. You've got to start thinking like him in order to get this issue resolved. He's sly like a fox and all of that being nice, etc. a few weeks ago was to soften you up and throw you thru a loop once again.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
