I agreed to sell my car privately and have not been paid. Can I repossess the car myself legally?
I agreed to sell the car to a family member, after which I found they have a serious drug problem. I received an initial $100 toward the agreed price of $1,200. I haven't received any more money and it has been several months since our agreement. I happen to have a spare set of keys. I have tried contacting them to no avail. Can I repossess the car myself legally, or am I required to use a repossession agency?
Answers:
As long as you are still in possession of the title/registration, then yes, you can. They may try to take you to court, but they won't stand a chance if they have no receipts proving that they paid you beyond the $100.
Hopefully you didn't give them the title without getting paid first, but if you still have the title and it's still in your name, and they can't even prove that they paid you, then you can take it and there really isn't anything that they can do.
Who is the car registered to?
Is the car still in your name? If you signed over the title, it's gone, and you are out the money. That's why you should always do a registration transfer with you as legal owner, and make a contract stating terms and what happens in case of default.
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KrazyKyngeKorny(Krazy, not stupid)
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did you sign over your title to them? if you did, good luck on being able to do anything. Was in anything written down in writing, or was it all heresay? if you go over with your spare set of keys, and they have the car in their name, they can get you for grand theft. I would contact a lawyer, and talk to them. Find out what you can do legaly. and a little piece of advise, as much as i love my family, i couldnt do business with them. Family is the worst people to do business with, they always screw you in the long run! best of luck to you!
also you can find out if they are driving the car in your name, if they are, its against the law, and you can file for a lost title! look up the vin number at ur sectary of state!
Yes you can repossess the car. Next time get a notarized signed contract. Good luck to ya!
If you haven't signed over the title, just take back the car. If you have, or you can't get the car back, take them to small claims court. You usually won't need a lawyer and most allow you to sue for up to $2000.
yes, you can get your car back but with lots of efforts and time. If title is still with you, then you can file a complaint with DMV and Police about the sale deed and not receipt of money from other party. If you have other party's name, address and phone no. will help. Other wise the title document has details such as Make, Model no. and Engine serial number and color of the car. Police can search based on this details, but if the other party has taken to other states or broken apart and sold parts then chances are less. But you can try. Good luck !
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