Legal Question in Business Law in Florida

Am I liable for payments

1)Purchased vessel with a oral contract for 14,000 paid 400.00per mo. till paid for.Sellar said the vessel had her bottom done a few years back and there was a leak that needed to be fixed but nothing major. Vessel sunk before it was paid for and the coast guard said the vessel had sunk a year before with another owner. When the 56ft. vessel was hauled out the bottom was rigged with patches obvouisly had been patched not repaired. Am I liable for payments or clean up cost and fines has I don't have a single piece of paper showing myself has the owner. And every one wants me to pay for all cost.


Asked on 12/08/97, 10:21 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Randall Reder Randall O. Reder, P.A.

Liability for boat

Yes, you are probably liable for the costs associatedwith the salvage of the boat since you statedyou were the owner. The fact you do not haveany paperwork showing ownership does not changethat liability provided you are the owner, whichyou said you were. However, it could make it diffi-cult for anyone to impose those costs on you.Even if you are the owner, you could file an action to have the contract rescinded on the ground of fraud and misrepresentation. This is adifficult case to prove and could be very costly.

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Answered on 12/09/97, 10:17 pm


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