Mother forged my name on vehicle title & sold it. Legal actions?

Question

I am currently living outside the country, but before leaving, I paid off my vehicle and had the title sent to my mother's house, where the truck was being stored. In April 2025, my mother forged my signature on the title and sold my truck without my permission. I have no evidence, as she held all the paperwork, and although I've been in contact with her, she hasn't been forthcoming with information. I haven't reported this to the authorities or consulted with a lawyer yet. Was her action legal, and what can I do about it?

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

Vehicle Title Forgery Analysis 
Your mother's actions constitute forgery and theft by conversion under virtually all state jurisdictions, representing both civil and criminal violations with potential felony implications. Forgery of vehicle title documents typically constitutes a serious offense as these are government-issued instruments, while the unauthorized sale of another's property without consent or proper authority violates fundamental property rights protected under common law and statutory frameworks. Despite your absence from the country, your ownership rights remain fully intact, giving you strong legal standing to pursue both criminal and civil remedies against both your mother and potentially the buyer who now possesses your vehicle. 
Your immediate priorities should include filing a police report for the forgery and unauthorized sale, which can typically be done remotely through email or phone contact with the appropriate jurisdiction's law enforcement agency. This formal documentation establishes an official record of the theft, potentially triggers criminal investigation, and creates essential evidence for subsequent civil proceedings. Additionally, contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state to flag the title as fraudulently transferred would help prevent further transfers of the vehicle and create an administrative record of your claim. 
We recommend pursuing simultaneous legal pathways: criminal prosecution through law enforcement for the forgery and theft aspects, and civil action for conversion to recover either the vehicle itself or its financial value plus potential punitive damages. The statute of limitations for both criminal forgery and civil conversion claims typically ranges from 2-5 years depending on state law, giving you adequate time to develop your case despite your international location. Documenting all communications with your mother regarding the vehicle, particularly any statements acknowledging the sale occurred without your permission, will prove invaluable in establishing the intentional nature of her actions rather than a misunderstanding about her authority to sell the vehicle.

Q: Mother forged my name on vehicle title & sold it. Legal actions?