How can I recover my property?

[Torij]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida
I verbally and through text agreed to sell my motorcycle to my sister in law for $1400. We agreed she would give me $600 and then the remaining $800 the following week. However 2 days after she took it into her possession, she placed it for sale online. I had only recieved the $600 from her and had not given her the title. Therefore how could she sell it? That sparked an argument and I told her I wanted the bike back. She refused and has put a stop payment on the $600 she gave me. At this point I havent been paid and she won't respond to my requests for the money. Being that she has not paid me and the title is in my name, how can i get my bike back? Can I take a police escort and pick it up?

 

[Banned_Princess]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida
I verbally and through text agreed to sell my motorcycle to my sister in law for $1400. We agreed she would give me $600 and then the remaining $800 the following week. However 2 days after she took it into her possession, she placed it for sale online. I had only recieved the $600 from her and had not given her the title. Therefore how could she sell it? That sparked an argument and I told her I wanted the bike back. She refused and has put a stop payment on the $600 she gave me. At this point I havent been paid and she won't respond to my requests for the money. Being that she has not paid me and the title is in my name, how can i get my bike back? Can I take a police escort and pick it up?

Do you know where the bike is?


why don't you just sue your sister for the 1400, and hope someday she has something to lien on.

 

[sandyclaus]

I suspect there may be criminal charges in here somewhere as well.

She couldn't legally sell a bike that wasn't hers to sell. I don't know, however, whether or not theft charges would be appropriate in this situation? I do know that if she managed to sell the bike with forged title, or obtained a duplicate title by making false statements, that it could also be actionable.

 

[Banned_Princess]

yea, but OP did technically sell her the bike... not like she stole it out of the garage.

personally I would be fine with that because my sister would have the rest of the money she owes me for the bike!

I don't know. JAL does, and I'll wait for him to tell us.

 

[sandyclaus]

yea, but OP did technically sell her the bike... not like she stole it out of the garage.

personally I would be fine with that because my sister would have the rest of the money she owes me for the bike!

I don't know. JAL does, and I'll wait for him to tell us.

True, but intent follows the bullet.

And since OP's SIL ALSO stopped payment on the initial $600 check given as partial payment of the bike, that should also be factored in. (There are charges that could apply to the bad check here as well.)

 

[Banned_Princess]

yes, there are lots of variables.

 

[swalsh411]

Are you prepared to see your sister in law go to jail?