Trying to get title from deceased seller.

[rdhull]

What is the name of your state? Florida

(I have posted this under the probate forum also, not sure which it belongs in)

I have purchased a vehicle, and the seller gave me title and bill of sale. When I went to register the vehicle (a few months later, as I was travelling), I found this was not a valid title, as a duplicate had been issued. I went back to the seller, but he was deceased now. His former girlfriend said she knew he had gotten some titles reissued when his ex-wife passed away, but apparently he found the original and gave that to me. There is nothing left from him, and he had no possessions to go through probate or anything. No will, nothing.

DMV is telling me I need to get a judge to award the title to me, but the courts I've called have not heard of this process. There is no one to sue (eg: small claims court) because he's dead.

Any thoughts, anyone?

Regards,
rdhull

 

[BelizeBreeze]

2 a.m., shovel, lots of Red Bull and a few hours of blood, sweat and tears.

 

[rdhull]

BTW - the DMV have said that judges have awarded titles in cases like this, I just can't seem to figure out what court that would need to be filed in. The DMV don't know what kind of court that would go through, and the courts have either said "we don't know what you're talking about" or "sorry, we can't give legal advice."

 

[matti422]

You sue the estate. They would be the one with the title, even if they physically can't locate the paper. I would think there is a simpler way to do it, though, than court - considering no one is contesting your ownership of the car.

Then, again, what the heck do I know?

 

[rdhull]

That was my thought as well. Unfortunately, there was no estate. The seller's entire worldly possessions fit inside a single manilla envelope, I'm told.