Dilemma About Car

[rawxstasy]

I need some advice.

I am still married and have been seperated from my husband for five years. I will eventually get divorced. I bought our old car from him. It's a Ford Taurus 1998. It was only worth $1000 but he weaseled $1500 out of me. I have finally made my last payment a week ago and I am waiting for the title.

I have been trying to get a hold of him for two days and he's not responding. The tags are good until this Friday Sept. 30.

What should I do?

Should I keep driving it? Or should I rent a car for a week and see if he will still mail me the title?

[SireneB]

I guess it would depend on how much a car rental would cost vs. the ticket for driving without tags. If you got a ticket, you could probably go to court and provide proof of the situation, would just take a chunk of time, but there might be a good chance you would get the ticket waived.

I think if I were in the situation, I'd keep driving, at least for a short while.

Is this a power play on his part?

[rawxstasy]

Yep - he just wants to be an ass - nothing new there.

[rawxstasy]

Well I was able to find out that a ticket for driving a car with overdue registration is about $250 Not including fees for towing and impounding the car. So I will be renting a car for a week and hopefully he does what he is supposed to do.

Wish me luck.

[Merr]

I know you weren't asking for advice about your ex specifically, so apologies if I'm talking out of turn. It seems to me like renting a car and hoping he'll get in touch in the mean time is leaving the power with him. On the other hand, I can see that you don't want more conflict with him. Personally, in your situation I think I would either look for a way of getting the car registered to you without his involvement (if possible - I know nothing about cars as I have never had one) or find out the law.

Without knowing the specifics of the law where you live, it seems to me like you'd easily win. It would be helpful if you also have proof of the money you gave to him. If you can find out the applicable law, write to him and say, 'I have sought legal advice and xyz applies but I would like to deal with this amicably...' that might help. Understanding of the law is very useful and can snap people out of this kind of behaviour if they know that they are falling foul of the law and don't want to pay for lawyers. Alternatively, your ex might be an individual who is so bloody-minded that it would make the situation worse. I don't know. I hope you get it sorted out.