Legal advice from CA.Com?

[SocMunky 10+ year member]

Ok, here's my drama for the day. Feel free to chime in with "talk to a lawyer". I sold a car, 6 months ago. It sat in this persons yard up until last month (Aug). They realized they just weren't going to use the car and sold it to someone else. Well, this person that bought the car didn't bother to get the title switched or the car registered. (Come to find out, he has a suspended license). So he sticks a bogus plate on the car and gets pulled over. Goes to jail. (Pics forthcoming). I get the letter that the car is impounded. I can either a) Get a duplicate title and go pay $500 for the impound fees (I have already gotten the duplicate title fyi) and get the car and re-sell it, or I can let it sit and get a $1000 lien put on my license. Is there any legal protection for this type of crap? I have a bill of sale from the first person who got the car, but if I pull some crap there its gonna ****, as it is family members of my wife. At this point, I can't claim the car was stolen, since I talked to the impound place. Most likely I am going to go get the car in the am, and try and sell it again myself to re-coup the cost, but there is always a chance this crap could happen again. Any advice from the ca.com legal gurus? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

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[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

Legal advice from CA.Com? You'll get what you pay for here! LOL!

It sounds like the problem is between you and the wife's relative. The failed to get a new title, then sold the car they didn't have a title on (in many states, that's a criminal and civil action). Which wound up being used illegally and is still in your name.

I would start by going to the county/state office where you got the title and tell them what you just told us. You sold the car, show bill of sale and tell them it's not your car anymore. I would not try to claim this car. If you do, then your wife's relative, who bought the car from you, could sue you for thier money back or title to the car. Assuming they also have a copy of the bill of sale. You could then counter sue for the fee's that you had to pay to clear your license.

These relatives are the ones who screwed you, so I wouldn't feel to bad about throwing this mess back in their laps. They should be apologizing to you.

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

please tell me you were smart enough to get a bill of sale

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Ouch, that sucks!

 

[97gp 5,000+ posts]

Good story

 

[SocMunky 10+ year member]

Well, it seems that my wifes aunt got ahold of the guy they sold the car to. Allegedly he tried to go get it out and they wouldn't let him. That's believable, as the impound lot is being pretty anal about what I need to bring to get the car. He also says he wants the car back and will pay the impound fees. I told him that's fine, so long as we go to the tax collectors office at the same time and do the titlework. After that he gets the car...

I'll believe it when I see it quite frankly. Still, I have no problems giving him the car back so long as those conditions are met. We'll see how it goes, he's in key west for 10 days. I won't be holding my breath. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[SocMunky 10+ year member]

Good story

Thanks, I put a lot of thought into these things! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[SocMunky 10+ year member]

please tell me you were smart enough to get a bill of sale

I have the bill of sale when I gave it to her relatives. After that, no, as I no longer considered it my responsibility. I have sold plenty of cars and never run into a more f'd up situation than this...

 

[SocMunky 10+ year member]

Legal advice from CA.Com? You'll get what you pay for here! LOL!
It sounds like the problem is between you and the wife's relative. The failed to get a new title, then sold the car they didn't have a title on (in many states, that's a criminal and civil action). Which wound up being used illegally and is still in your name.

I would start by going to the county/state office where you got the title and tell them what you just told us. You sold the car, show bill of sale and tell them it's not your car anymore. I would not try to claim this car. If you do, then your wife's relative, who bought the car from you, could sue you for thier money back or title to the car. Assuming they also have a copy of the bill of sale. You could then counter sue for the fee's that you had to pay to clear your license.

These relatives are the ones who screwed you, so I wouldn't feel to bad about throwing this mess back in their laps. They should be apologizing to you.

Yeah, if he doesn't come through or I can't dump the car quick enough I may have to do that. $500 unexpected bills aint cool. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif