Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Maryland

legalities of dually owned property

my boyfriend and i bought a car together. he is the primary on the loan and i am the co-signee. the car is registered under my name and i am the primary driver. who legally owns the car? if we broke up, can he force me to leave the car with him?


Asked on 4/10/02, 11:36 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry Harris Law Offices of Terry J. Harris

Re: legalities of dually owned property

"Ownership" in this case is probably evidenced in the car's title -- which is probably tied to the loan. The fact that your boyfriend is "primary", presumably meaning that he's the one paying the loan, he would likely be considered as having the strongest "ownership" claim to the vehicle. (And certainly that sounds fair, doesn't it?)

However, the fact that you co-signed gives you an important ownership interest in the vehicle as well (if he stops paying -- you're fully responsible) and you would want to protect yourself in a messy breakup. If you wanted to keep the vehicle, I imagine you'd need to work out some deal.

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Answered on 4/10/02, 1:26 pm


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