Hagerstown, MD asked in Civil Rights for Maryland

Q: How do I get a title for a car that's been left in my driveway for 6 months

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1 Lawyer Answer
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Rockville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: You would need to qualify for a lien on the title for the reasonable cost of storage of the vehicle on your property, then follow the law to foreclose on the lien and take possession of the vehicle. This involves notice to the titled/registered owner and public advertising of an auction date, and if nobody bids sufficient money to cover the reasonable storage fees and costs of the auction, then you can potentially "bid" that amount and claim ownership. This process may not be easy for you to accomplish. Car titles cannot be transferred simply by arguing the vehicle is abandoned. Most counties have an abandoned vehicle procedure, whereby you contact the appropriate authority (police department, etc.), and they come and tow it and then auction it at public auction. You can show up at the auction and bid on it if you like.

Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer

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