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Need some advice on what to do with a car that has no title.
The situation is, the original owner purchased the car from a dealer,
who for some reason with held the title, after she had provided
payment. She is now, I am to understand, involved in a class action
lawsuite against the dealer in order to aquire the title to the car.
- In the mean time, she decided that she no longer wanted the car, and
sold it to a friend, with the understanding that it was his if he
wanted it, but he would have to sort out a way to get the title, as
she no longer wanted to deal with the situation.
- This friend, is now moving out of state, and has decided not to take
the car with him. He has offered it to me, with the understanding that
I will have to sort out the title situation myself.
So, what would I need to get the title for the car?
I'm not doing anything untill I can run the VIN to make shure it's not
stolen, but after that all I have is a bill of sale from the original
owner to my friend.
Anyone know what to do in this situation???
Thanks.
-Amos
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Need some advice on what to do with a car that has no title.
<snip>
So, what would I need to get the title for the car?
Contrary to your subject header, this isn't a LOST title, e.g. one
that got burnt up in a house fire or something. Those are easy to
replace; just go to MVA, give them the VIN of the car, and proof of
your identity as the actual titled owner, and they will give you a
"duplicate" certificate of title based on the info they have on file
already. But you're talking about a car where the person in
possession of the actual vehicle NEVER GOT title and now wants to walk
away from the car and "sell" whatever interest she has in it.
How badly do you want to buy a car that you _know_ does not have clear
title?
You have no guarantee that you will _ever_ be able to get clear title
to the car. You certainly haven't given anywhere near enough details
about, f'rinstance, why was the title withheld by the dealer from the
original owner? BTW did she buy it new, or used? Did this car even
have license tags? How could she get them, without a certificate of
title?
If the person who wants to "sell" the car says she's willing to give
it to you for free, and/or to await payment until YOU actually get
clear title, maybe all the future headaches are worth it to you. If
you don't have title, IT'S NOT YOUR CAR YET. And if SHE doesn't have
title yet, all you're "buying" from her is a pig in a poke -- she may
OR MAY NOT have any legally transferrable rights to claim ownership of
that hunk of metal and rubber sitting in her driveway. I have no idea
how many headaches you will have to suffer, or how difficult they will
be, before you get this cleared up, if ever. All I know is, the
anticipated headaches would definitely make _me_ steer clear of any
such deal.
--
This posting is for discussion purposes, not professional advice.
Anything you post on this Newsgroup is public information.
I am not your lawyer, and you are not my client in any specific legal
matter.
For confidential professional advice, consult a lawyer in a private
communication.
Mike Jacobs
LAW OFFICE OF W. MICHAEL JACOBS
10440 Little Patuxent Pkwy #300
Columbia, MD 21044
(tel) 410-740-5685 (fax) 410-740-4300
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Amos,
You write that a person purchased a car but that the buyer (A) has not
provided a clear title. This Person was involved in a "class-action" suit to
acquire the title. This person then sold the car with the understanding that
the lack of title was the purchaser's (B) problem. The next owner did nor
resolve the title problem and now wishes to convey the car to the OP (C).
If you have a place to park this car until title is clear and the car is
being sold to you for a pittance then go ahead; otherwise leave this mess
alone. to get title you will need a document from the Dealer (original
seller) conveying title to A. You'll need to get this from A or the Dealer.
You will need document that conveyed this car from A to B. You will need a
document that conveys this car from B to you. With all of these documents
you should be able to get a title issued to you but this may take time.
Since the dealer seems to be refusing to assist in this process it is
impossible to determine the value of this car. Do not pay the "blue book"
value. It would be a good idea to get the name, address, and phone number of
A, B, and the Dealer.
Good luck,
Dave M.
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