Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Missouri

Okay then, I'll get right to it. We sold a pickup for $2,000.00 to a neighbor on February 2nd of this year. We agreed to take payments for it but went ahead and gave him the title, without a lien. He payed $400 total in payments and returned the truck on March 20th and said that he could no longer afford it. (He also inflicted quite a bit of damage to the pickup while he was driving it, but we really have no proof.) He never put insurance on the vehicle or transferred the title into his name, therefore, we had no problems restoring our ownership. Now he claims that we have to pay him the $400 back that he had payed towards the pickup, but my husband and I feel that he is not entitled to his money back since it would have cost him more than what he had payed to rent a vehicle for that length of time, and the costs to fix the damage that he did to the pickup is more than that amount also. So I guess my question is, do we have to pay this money back to him?


Asked on 7/25/11, 3:19 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

Under teh facts you described, it does nto apepar that you are legally obligated to return the $400. Sinc eit is a neighbor, you may have a moral sense or desirte for good relations that woudl comple you to work somehting out with this man. If he sues for the $400, you shoudl be able to raise the damage to the truck as a counter claim or defense. The facts of these cases can change the outcome. You are nto allowed enough room to fully describe your situation here, or supply documents. Therefore, you may want to consult directly with an attorney in your area. many offer a free or low cost initial consultation.

Good luck

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Answered on 7/26/11, 7:49 am


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