Is this car abandoned?

[Teac]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvainia. I am a retired autobody repairman living on Social Security. I fix cars on the side at my home to help out with my monthly income. Nine months ago, a young man left a car for me to repair. He gave me some cash to purchase supplys with and promised me he would provide more as it was needed. " Money was no object " he said. The next day he took off for Florida. Since then he has not sent me a single dime. I have no way to contact him other than a cell phone number. He will not return my phone calls and has not and will not provide me with an address where I can reach him. The few times I have actually talked to him, he promises to send me a check so I can continue working on the car, but never has. After nine months of this, I'm getting fed up. The Pa tags and expection have long since expired and I'm certain there is no insurance on this car. I feel he has found a convenient place to dump this car and I'm afraid he has no intention of paying me for my time and labor. He has done nothing but lie to me and is now avoiding my phone calls. Could this car be considered abandoned, and if so, is there a way I can obtain the title?

[teflon_jones]

A vehicle is considered abandoned when it's left on private property for more than 48 hours without the consent of the owner. In your case, the vehicle was left on your property with your consent. The fact that it's been left there longer than that doesn't constitute the 48 hours by the letter of the law.

However, there are a couple of ways for you to get a title. First, go to the DMV and explain the situation and they may allow you to obtain a title in your name. You should be able to, at the very least, get an address where the vehicle was last registered. The second way would be to file a small claims court case against the other party, using the address you obtained from the DMV. My suspicion is that they won't show up for any case, in which case you could request that the judge give you the car in lieu of any monetary judgement.

[dallas702]

You should publish a notice in the newspaper where you think he is (from those "few" conversations). File a mechanic's lien against the vehicle. I think those are usually 30 days, and then you claim it.