Q: Private party car purchase, can the seller repo the car I bought 3 years ago without notifying me? What is legal?
Purchased from sister in law, currently serving in Bahrain, had her Fiance orchestrate a repo because she never reported the sale. I'm now divorcing her Sister so they decided I can't have the car, although the car was protected in the ATRO in our Divorce, now I'm without a car, I didn't receive any compensation. I told my spouse & her sister multiple times they can't take the car but they did anyway, what can I do?
A: No, the seller cannot legally repossess a vehicle you purchased outright 3 years ago, regardless of whether the sale was properly reported or not. Even if your divorce settlement ordered the car returned, proper notice and legal process would still need to be followed for them to take possession. Their unauthorized seizure of the vehicle you own constitutes theft or illegal conversion. Notify police immediately the car was taken without your consent and provide documentation showing proof of purchase/ownership and sale terms. Also consult a consumer protection attorney regarding sending formal demand the vehicle be returned or you will pursue legal action. What they did was not legal and you have strong grounds to regain possession or receive financial compensation for your losses based on improper repossession of your lawful property.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
