Q: If I have the tirle to a vehicle in my posession, does that make the vehicle mine?
My friend left me the title to his motorcycle before he went to prison. Does that make the vehicle mine?
A:
Possessing the title to a vehicle does not necessarily make the vehicle legally yours. The title is a document that establishes ownership of the vehicle, but ownership is determined by the name listed on the title and any applicable laws regarding ownership transfers.
If your friend left you the title to his motorcycle, it might indicate his intention to transfer ownership to you. However, in order for the transfer to be legally valid, it usually requires both parties to complete the necessary paperwork to transfer the title and register the vehicle in your name. This often involves signing the title over to you and submitting the appropriate documentation to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency to update the ownership records.
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