Getting a name off a car title - car gone
 

Hey all, could use some advice here.

How would we get my MIL's name off a car title? Long story - but car is in possession of someone else and it can't be retrieved. Police can't help because she let it happen and the only recourse is civil, and the car isn't worth that.

We don't want her name on it, but need to get ownership removed to remove any potential liabilities.

Sold notice?

In Indiana I can log in to my BMV account and delete vehicles I no longer own. Sometimes when I sell one out of state Indiana does not get the message.

I'd call the BMV to see what they say.

Thanks. Definitely on our list but trying to get educated before wading into the bureaucracy pool.

Laws vary from state to state, but when you sell in Oregon you sign the title, give it to the new owner, then give the registration slip to the state, telling them the car has been sold.

Since you left out details on how the car ended up in another's possession, I'm confused. So, sounds like it's time to wade in the pool. I'd start with the DMV.

Report the car as stolen.

Turn in the signed title to the DMV.

If it’s possible to report the car as stolen, that seems easiest. But your description of the situation suggests that may not be possible.

If you can ‘sell’ the vehicle to someone else just to get your mom off the title without putting someone else at the same risk you want to remove her from, you can do a normal title transfer and send it in to the Secretary of State’s office.

If the title also has someone else’s name on it, it would only take that other person to have a new title issued. If that other person is the person who has the car…yeah that’s tough. Sorry I can’t think of more.

In Nova Scotia, you would take the notice of sale to Motor Vehicle office. You have the option to report the 'sale price'. When the new owner tries to register the vehicle for plates, they must pay tax on the sale price. :D

Best
Les

I think the long story would be helpful. What state was your MIL and title in?

Illinois. We tried the stolen route. No dice as technically it was "loaned and not returned" so, apparently that makes it a civil matter according to the detective we spoke to.

Probably just need to call the DMV.

Do you know the VIN and plate? Looks like you can mail in a form....maybe.

https://www.hows.tech/2024/05/how-to-cancel-vehicle-registration.html

maybe this?

Quote:

How can you prove to the DMV that a car is no longer owned by you when they still have the vehicle listed under your name? You file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. It can be done online through the DMV website, or you can come pick up a form(REG 138) in the DMV office.

Yes we do, thanks this is a good lead.

Fantastic! Thank you.

Wow, she lent it out and the people never returned it?

Her son had permission to use the car and loaned it to someone who doesn’t have a conscience.

So technically (according to police) it’s a very grey area and a civil matter because there were “layers of consent”.

Bottom line is for a $3k car we rather abandon then worry about it. …but as long as her name is on the registration, anything that happens with this car could have her a potentially liable party.

Definitely get it out of her name. Hopefully, they did not rack up tickets on the car.

For something worth $3k, in the possession of someone that should give it back and is being an *******, I’d pay a repo guy to go pick it up.