Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Forged lease agreement

My daughter (aged 27), took my wifes ID and leased a new car on 2-24. My wife had agreed to co-sign for an used car and gave her a check for $500. She forged my wifes signature on all the paperwork. My daughter was involved in an accident the next day, her fault. She told us it was a demo. The dealership phoned several days later and wanted to confirm some info, and thats how we found out about the lease. The dealership redid the paperwork dated 2-24 and my wife signed them on 3-01, under pressure to keep my daughter out of jail. Now it turns out there were injuries to someone in the other vehicle. I contacted the insurance co and stopped the claim my daughter started to avoid insurance fraud. I recontacted the dealer and told them what we did with the paperwork was illegal and we needed to set it straight and let the chips fall as they may. The dealer refused and said they did nothing wrong. My question; What is the liability of the dealer? Did they do nothing wrong? I realize we are also guilty by signing the backdated papers, but are we liable for the costs of the accident? Thank you.


Asked on 3/05/01, 8:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jeffrey Zinder Zinder & Koch

Re: Forged lease agreement

Adult children are no easier then infants. You were not originally responsible for the wrongful acts of your daughter. However, before any lawyer could give you any worthwhile advise he would need to see all the paper work that your wife signed. Contact your local legal clinic and try to get an appointment to go over the documents.

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Answered on 5/10/01, 10:46 am


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