Used car, dead guy signed title...issues

I'll try to be brief but googling hasn't given me an acceptable answer.

My father was gifted a vehicle by his boss that he didn't ever really want. The owner signed the title as seller (12/2018) and gave both the car and title to my father. My father has basically sat on the car since then. He did not sign or transfer the title.

Now, I am in need of a vehicle and my father kinda wants this car out of the way. We agreed on a price, I attempted to transfer the title today but was told I could not because the original seller signed the title over 6 months ago. This was at a currency exchange type facility. The guy recommend trying another similar facility as he used to not have an issue, but his system recently wouldn't allow the process to complete.

To possibly further complicate the matter, the original owner has since passed away.


TL/DR

Have car I want to register
Title is signed by seller, dated 12/18
No buyer info filled in on title
Don't want to involve DMV if necessary due to Covid, fees...etc


Could the easy answer be to sign the title as buyer, date it 12/18 and if a question comes up, say I bought it non running but now its good to go??


Feels slimy asking, but my dad never wanted this thing. It's a the right car for me at the right time, but I can't wait 6 weeks for the DMV to figure it out....err

Try a few different places. I had to drive all over NJ once to find a DMV that would title a VW Bug that some hippy sold my pop in bar and signed the title in the wrong spot. Otherwise you'll have to go through the estate.

I'd do as @7998 suggested, try a few DMVs in your area. Might cost you some time, but you'll get it (hopefully) done right and you won't have to worry going forward.

What do the directions on the title state for sale of vehicle?


Once the previous owner signed the title, it was no longer his. Period.
IMO, correspondance with the previous owners estate is NOT necessary.
Fact that it was never signed/transfered to a new owner is another issue.

EDIT: Added "NOT" to correspondance with previous owners estate.

Lambeau said:

What do the directions on the title state for sale of vehicle?


Once the previous owner signed the title, it was no longer his. Period.
IMO, correspondance with the previous owners estate is necessary.
Fact that it was never signed/transfered to a new owner is another issue.

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Think it changes state to state but in the two states I've done it in, you've only got 60days from when the title was signed by seller to transfer it to another party

Posts and likes are not mine.

Ouch... This may not go well.

Go to the DMV. Any other place is just filling out the paperwork for you and sending it to the state. And you're paying them fees to do that. The DMV will be cheaper and should know what to do.

Or do it yourself and see what happens. It's pretty easy.

FAQ

That's annoying...in NC you can sit on them as long as you'd like, just have to pay a small 'late fee' ($20) for transfers after 30 days.

Never heard of this happening but this is why I never date titles when floating them.

RX1Cobra said:

Go to the DMV. Any other place is just filling out the paperwork for you and sending it to the state. And you're paying them fees to do that. The DMV will be cheaper and should know what to do.

Or do it yourself and see what happens. It's pretty easy.

FAQ

Click to expand...

I'm in Chicago and not are DMVs still only doing limited service, the lines are insane. It is an extra $15 at the currency exchange but I'll gladly pay it since involving the DMV is an all day process.

Your insurance agent should be able to help you out.
They usually have a dedicated line at the dmv for insurance agents

In my state if my fathers name was on the title as the new owner he would have to title vehicle in his own name and pay the sales tax and related fees back to the date of sale and then sell it to “me” after the new title arrived.

If his name isn’t on he title(they wisely left it blank) I would be responsible for the tax and fees for not paying tax and the new title. Should walk out the same day with a registration.

The DMV FtF would be the only place that this would work for me in my state.

As mentioned don’t be that guy, just sign your titles no dates or names!!

Good luck

change the date on the title and go back and try again lol