Car titles and who shouldn't be on them

Darkewolfe

A lunch buddy from work is having some trouble, and I told her I'd see if I could dig out a solution. She loaned some money to a friend for a down payment on a car several years back, but as far as she's aware never signed anything. Since then, that friend has died, and she's not been aware of who has the car, etc. Recently, the car must have been registered to a new Virginia county with a property tax, because now my friend is getting notices that she owes property tax on the car. She's never owned it, doesn't know who has it, and wasn't aware she was on the title. The fact that she's getting the notices indicate she must be a co-signer on the title, however. She's tried calling the tax rep from that county, as well as the DMV, and neither has been able/willing to help her. Does anyone know who the correct authority to appeal to is in this case?

TL;DR : What is the correct state or county organization to have your name removed from a car title when you are not in possession of that car.

bowen

She'd be on the title if she was a cosigner, the only way to alter that is to refinance the loan. Call whoever is giving her the lat payment notices.

If it was resold, she shouldn't even be on the title anymore. I'd call the DMV first, they may have more information for her, then call the bank or state department handling those payment notices.

Is she sure she didn't co-sign?

Darkewolfe

Sorry, I don't think I explained properly. It's not a late payment notice. She's not on the hook for anything relating to car payments. It's a property tax notice. In Virginia, the county where you keep your car assesses a personal tax based on the value of your car for keeping it in the county. The county thinks she owns the car and is parking it in the area.

Tejs

Has she actually physically went to the local county tax assessor / collector and explained the situation? Usually, if you can get personally in front of someone, they can help you out.

bowen

Darkewolfe wrote: »

Sorry, I don't think I explained properly. It's not a late payment notice. She's not on the hook for anything relating to car payments. It's a property tax notice. In Virginia, the county where you keep your car assesses a personal tax based on the value of your car for keeping it in the county. The county thinks she owns the car and is parking it in the area.

Oh, hmm, sorry. Try the county offices if they have one, they'll probably be able to direct you to the right people. Where is this, Fairfax or something?

Darkewolfe

So, to clarify, what I'm looking for is someone who is knowledgeable of the process. She can make guesses as to who or what to try next, but I wanted to see if I could find someone who knew, factually, that X county office is actually responsible for this. That way, if she is blown off she can remain confident that she's talking to the right office.

IronKnuckle's Ghost

It sounds like your friend was originally listed as a co-owner on the title when her friend first registered the vehicle. Since your friend does not know who currently has possession of the vehicle, I'd wager her late friend has been removed from the title, leaving her as current owner. Is the vehicle perhaps in the possession of a friend/family member of her late friend?

In Arkansas, changes to titles (change of ownership, addition/removal of lienholders, etc) are handled by the central DMV headquarters; I'd wager it's similar in your state. As Tejs suggested, an in-person explanation at the local DMV office is in order. If she's stonewalled, locate the state headquarters and start there.

bowen

Yeah seems like she's already contact who she needs to contact, time to go further up.

Not sure how she was listed as a co-owner without her signature.

IronKnuckle's Ghost

Last time I registered a vehicle in my state, I simply had to submit my name/address, lienholder info, etc. I could have listed a co-owner, but said person didn't have to sign anything or be present. Entirely possible the deceased listed OP's friend in good faith without her knowledge since the friend provided funds.

OP, I found this, which is info regarding deceased titleholders and transfer of ownership. Since your friend is being contacted I'm assuming she's listed as owner somewhere. She may technically now have full ownership of that vehicle and can consider it stolen since she does not know who has it.

Noisymunk

Darkewolfe wrote: »

So, to clarify, what I'm looking for is someone who is knowledgeable of the process. She can make guesses as to who or what to try next, but I wanted to see if I could find someone who knew, factually, that X county office is actually responsible for this. That way, if she is blown off she can remain confident that she's talking to the right office.

I live in Fairfax County, I just received two of these forms in the mail for my cars. In the second paragraph there is an address and suite number for the tax office, with explicit instructions to go there in person if you need help.

That's where she should start.

wmelon

I would suggest talking to whoever is the executor of her friend's estate. That should help clear up where the car is and what the current situation is.