Car Issues

[bnj246]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Tennessee

We let a family friend borrow a vehicle to drive this past summer until her's was fixed. She has been making excuses and reasons as to why she has not given the vehicle back, and she finally admitted that she borrowed money on it. She says that she still has the car, but hasn't paid the money back yet. I was wondering if there is any way possible we can take her to court or some other way to get her to pay off what she owes or to make it invalid since she is not the owner of the car and we never authorized her to do this. Or, what should be the next step that we take? It's horrible because we were just doing her a favor, and now could possibly end up losing the car or lots of money by taking her to court. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[sandyclaus]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Tennessee

We let a family friend borrow a vehicle to drive this past summer until her's was fixed. She has been making excuses and reasons as to why she has not given the vehicle back, and she finally admitted that she borrowed money on it. She says that she still has the car, but hasn't paid the money back yet. I was wondering if there is any way possible we can take her to court or some other way to get her to pay off what she owes or to make it invalid since she is not the owner of the car and we never authorized her to do this. Or, what should be the next step that we take? It's horrible because we were just doing her a favor, and now could possibly end up losing the car or lots of money by taking her to court. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I don't understand. Are you trying to say your friend got a loan through a finance company or other source, using the vehicle as collateral for the debt? Does that friend's name appear on the registration or title for the vehicle? If not, then legally, whomever loaned her the money against the car is out of luck. They cannot legally place a lien on property that she doesn't own unless you specifically signed for it or allowed it.

Go get the car and stop letting her make excuses for not returning it. As far as the loan she took out against the car, that's HER problem, and you really need to let her deal with it herself.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

If the car is titled in your name, she cannot legally take a loan on it. It is not hers to do so. Go pickup your car at your convenience. If she dealt with a loan shark it was at her risk.