Lawyers? Vehicle title question.

[ed1564]

Ok here is the situation.... Almost a year ago I sold a Jet Ski and trailer to a guy. I signed the back of the title over to the guy, and told him that he needed to go to the parks and wildlife and tell them that you bought this pay the tax, and get the title in the mail. Two weeks ago I get something in the mail about renewing my title. It turns out that the guy never went and put the title in his name. So I called him up asked him about it he said he never got around to doing it and would do it asap. Well that was two weeks ago, and he still has not changed the title over. This bothers me because I have been legally liable for the SeaDoo for the past year.

Is there anythign I can do? If he wont go change the title back can I just go repo it since I am the legal owner of it?

Thanks
Eddie

 

[rahvin]

You aren't the legal owner if you don't have the title. Duh. If you signed the title over to him it's his.

The county doesn't pursue back taxes on this stuff generally because it could be broken or destroyed, but if it's ever re-registered the person that re-registers it will pay the back taxes on it.

I'm completely boggled why you think you could even repo the thing when you don't have the title to it.

 

[ed1564]

According to the state I am the name on the title. If I told them that I lost the title, they would send me a new title, in my name.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Most lawyers here won't help you on this one, because offering you advice might be the unauthorized practice of law in most jurisdictions.

Good luck though.

 

[woodie1]

<< According to the state I am the name on the title. If I told them that I lost the title, they would send me a new title, in my name. >>



Tell this to the guy you sold it to. Or get another title and then go pick up your Jet Ski.

 

[ed1564]

hmmm....well if anyone thinks I have a case please let me know.

 

[Squisher]

I just sold a motorcycle in Michigan. For the sale I had to fill out a section that included all the buyer's info and the buyer had to sign it. Once that happened, I would be in the clear. On the title it said the buyer only had like 10 days to transfer the title.

Sounds like titles in Texas are different.

 

[apoppin]

In California and Hawaii the former owner is required to report the transfer within ten days. That way his legal responsibilities end with the transfer.

At the least, I would go to the DMV (or relevant department) in your state and explain the situation . . .

 

[rahvin]

If you report a title lost when you in fact transfered that title in a for sale arrangement and the buyer has documentation of that not only can you be prosectuted for fraud you could also be tried for theft if you in fact did take back the item without an agreement from the current owner.

He bought and paid for it. If you are concerned send the county a letter explaining when and to who you sold it.

Actually negate what I just said, report the title lost and reclaim the jetski. I wanna know how much trouble you get in. The least I would expect is court summons and you might actually get to spend a night in jail.

 

[ed1564]

I called the parks and wildlife about the Jet Ski, and they said that there was nothing that I could do. I told them that I had already sold it, and they said that I had to somehow get in touch with the guy and tell him to transfer the title. For the trailer for the Sea Doo, I called teh DMV and they said there was a form that I could fill out to say that I no longer own it, but "the from woudlnt do much for my liability of the SeaDoo", it was the guy said.

 

[ed1564]

bump

 

[apoppin]

Sounds like a big loophole in your state's laws regarding transfer.

Here's what I would do: I would send a registed letter to the buyer and remind him that he has not registered the vehicle and a copy of that letter to the appropriate state department. It might help if any future liability questions come up. But then a lawyer in your state should be able to give a definitive answer.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, perhaps someone on an Internet "legal advice" site might be able to help.

 

[Tominator]

Illinois and New York are the only two states with Secretary of State Police. They would pay your buyer a quik vist and this case would be closed.

You made a mistake in just handing over a signed title. It is supposed to be signed by both parties in the presence of a Notary Public. The Notary Public is the legal witness of the transaction.

In Illinois a lost title cost about $70 and can take several months to process. If you applied for a lost title I'm sure that would be considered fraud.

I'd call the State Police and have a patrolman pay a vist to the guy explaing the laws and how he is breaking them. That should motivate him.

 

[911paramedic]

If you have a bill of sale, you can do it yourself. If you just signed the title over and got no paperwork yourself...

[rock] you [hardplace]

 

[rahvin]

I have yet to understand just what liability you are worried about here. A hit and swim with a sea doo?

 

[ed1564]

A lot of liabilty, if the trailer gets a parking ticket, it will get sent to me. If there is an accident on it involving other people, and a lawsuit comes about, they will sue the owner the jet ski - who is me.

 

[waggy]

uhm how will they know that you had the trailer? did you leave a plate on it?

anyway go ahead and commit fraud i wanna see how much trouble you get into.

i sold a honda CBR 600 about a year ago and the guy has yet to change the title. if you go to jail and get a hefty fine let me know. heh kidding im not a thief.

 

[ed1564]

Yea, it's the same license plate on their. Im not going to repo it, that probably would be illegal.

Eddie