Q: Who owns the car?
My ex and I are getting ready to split up (never married) lived together 5 years. I have a car that he is primary on the loan and I am secondary. The said car is tagged, titled and registered to me only. Who does the car belong to?
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A:
In your situation, ownership of the car is primarily determined by who holds the title, registration, and tags. Since the car is titled, tagged, and registered in your name only, you are legally recognized as the owner of the car. This means you have the rights to make decisions about the vehicle, such as selling it or keeping it.
However, since your ex is the primary on the loan, they have a financial obligation tied to the car. If the loan is not paid, both of your credit scores could be impacted. The lender may consider both of you responsible for the debt, even though the car is under your name.
If you choose to keep the car, you may want to refinance the loan in your name alone to avoid future complications. Discussing this situation with your ex and possibly coming to an agreement about the car payments or refinancing could help prevent any potential disputes. It’s important to understand both the legal and financial aspects to make an informed decision moving forward.
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