Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida

Legal ownership and responsibility of property?
Me and two friends purchased a 25ft sail boat last spring. After paying for the boat we attempted numerous times to contact the owner to recieve the title. No one would insure us for the boat if we didn't have the title. During the mass of three huricanes that hit Florida the boat was damaged and sunk. It rested on a sand bar, Fan officer of the state said we are responsible for removing the boat. We can't pay for the salvaging of the boat. Are we obligated to do so, because we would have had it insured if the owner would have given us the title in the year we had it. The officer of the state said it will be a misdemenor charge and then the state will sue us for the salvage and legal costs of the boat.

It isn't our boat on the books, the only reason they have our contact is because it was common knowledge in the area that we were purchasing the boat. The title is still in the original owners name and the they moved to Colorado and will not return contact to us or the officer. We can't afford salvage so we definetly can't afford to get sued. As I said we would have insured the boat if we could have obtained the title.

Asked on 5/03/05, 1:57 pm

David Slater David P. Slater, Esq.

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Re: Legal ownership and responsibility of property?

While you did not have title it appears you had possession and thus, responsibility.

Answered on 5/03/05, 3:00 pm

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