Car Title Law Question...?

Question

Ok, so this will be a boring story, but I need to know my rights. I sold a car for my brother and the check was written to me because the lady had never met my brother. Something was wrong with the title and she still hasnt received it. She is telling me that she is going to sue me because the check was written to me, however it is not my car. Am I responsible for that? Also, is it legal in MO to have a car and drive it but with no title? She wont drive the car until she has it so I"m not sure what I can tell her.

Answer 1

I am not a lawyer and don't know who the proper person to sue may be but I do know that anyone can sue anyone for any reason at any time.  The lady is absolutley right by not driving the car without a title.  That would be against the law.  It is also against the law to furnish a non- merchantable title for a car.   Seems to me the most important thing you must do to avoid legal trouble is to find out  exactly what was wrong with the title instead of stating "something was wrong....".  Find out what was wrong and fix it.

Answer 2

You accepted money from her with the promise that she would get what she needed from your brother.  She didn't get it.  She can sue you or you and your brother.  I'd suggest you contact your brother and tell him to get the title to her before she does sue.  Yes, she can prevail against you, and then it would be up to you to get the money back from your brother.

Answer 3

>>>  She is telling me that she is going to sue me because

>>>  the check was written to me, however it is not my car.

>>>  Am I responsible for that?

Any time you are part of a business transaction you can be part of a lawsuit (because of the deal).  But you should NOT worry if it goes to court, because like you said, you were just being an intermediary.

In NYS (and in most state) she cannot drive the car until she gets a title.  That's how the states forces the buyers to pay the tax.

good Luck...

Answer 4

I would suggest that you find out what's wrong with the title so that you can get the situation fixed. go to your local DMV