Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Iowa

Motor Vehicle Ownership

A female friend of mine has all the checks to prove that she paid for her car. The title is in her house-mate's name and he won't sign the title over to her now that the car is paid for. She would like to take her car and move back to PA. She didn't have good credit when they bought the car, so instead of him co-signing, he just put her car in his name. What are her legal options, if any, to get him to sign the title over to her?


Asked on 7/10/06, 10:13 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Re: Motor Vehicle Ownership

The car's titled in his name, it belongs to him. She didn't buy it FROM him, she bought it from someone else and put it in his name. It would seem to me that unless she has a signed contract with him that she retains an ownership interest in the car although it is in his name that she's out of luck.

NEVER ever put a car that belongs to you in someone else's name. When you do, you're just giving that other person the car. Might as well put a ribbon on it and give it to him for his birthday.

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Answered on 7/16/06, 2:27 am
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Re: Motor Vehicle Ownership

Very few I am afraid. Equitable ownership is a difficult thing to try and establish. She could sue in court but that's about it.

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Answered on 7/10/06, 11:17 am


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