Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Am i responsible if i'm a register owner if involved in an accident?

My boyfriend owes money on a small claims suit. We are both on the registration of our pickup thats paid for. Can they take the truck to satisfy the judgment? He owes me a small amount of money and put my name on the title for collateral. What can I do to protect myself from a lawsuit if he is involved in an accident. I own my own home and don't want to lose it. Can I be on the title or the registration without being held liable in case of an accident? Will a notorized agreement protect me from any lawsuits??? Can I be the title holder and him be the registered owner or vice-versa? Which is the best route to go to protect my assets??? Thank You!!!


Asked on 5/05/04, 9:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: Am i responsible if i'm a register owner if involved in an accident?

You could change the title on the vehicle so that you are the legal owner and he is the registered owner. If you are both shown as one of the registered owners you would be liable for any damages that resulted from his operation of the vehicle.

Also if there is a writ of attachment for the vehicle as one of the owners of the vehicle you would probably not be protected. The writ would take the vehicle and it would be sold then the exempt portion would be paid to him, then the judgement would be satisfied and any surplus would be available for you.

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Answered on 5/06/04, 1:25 am


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