Q: My daughter's boyfriend traded her car without her knowledge and took the upgraded car in his name without reimbursement. What legal action can she take in Florida?
My daughter's boyfriend traded in her car for an upgrade as a "surprise" without her knowledge. She owned the original car and signed no paperwork for the transaction, and the new car was in his name. They've broken up, and he took the car, promising to reimburse her for the trade-in value but hasn't. She hasn't contacted the dealership or authorities yet. What legal steps can she take to resolve this issue in Florida?
A:
I guess the real "surprise" was when the now ex-boyfriend drove off with the car he had ostensibly bought for your daughter. You question has many issues, but at its core, if the boyfriend used the car belonging to your daughter as partial payment for the new car, he is most likely guilty of forging her signature on the Transfer of Title....in addition, while he did "give" the car to your daughter, it was registered in his name. As a result he is guilty of Conversion or Grand Theft. I find it hard to believe this transaction was done with no paperwork.
Have the police been notified? Have you contacted the dealership where he purchased the car? I advise you that it is time to get aggressive, as I strongly doubt the "ex" is going to pay your daughter back the value of her vehicle any time soon.
Good Luck
Charles M. Baron and Terrence H Thorgaard agree with this answer
A: And she should demand that the dealership return the car to her. She can probably repossess the car, if the title is still in her name.
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