Legal Question in Family Law in New York
In my divorce decree, there�s a stipulation that my ex-wife and I will purchase a mutually agreeable car for our daughter; we would split the cost of the car and insurance. After my daughter got her license, she sent me a sincere e-mail that she wants the car that had belonged to my mother (her grandmother) that I now owned since she passed away. She mentioned that my mom had given her sister a car and she knew that her grandmother was proud of her and wanted her to have this car; it was very touching. I had spoken to my ex about this and she was fine with it although we never discussed the financials. Since the car was practically new with only 2,700 miles, I thought this was great. I called my daughter and told her she can have the car; she was so excited. I then asked to speak with her mother. I spoke with her mother, went over a few details and asked her for half the value; $5,000- (purchase price was 25K). My ex didn�t say much, she just put me on hold and the next thing I hear is my crying daughter screaming and yelling that she doesn�t want the car any more; I�m ripping-off her mother. My ex thought of every excuse not to give me half the value of the car. After this incident I spoke with my daughter and ex many times about taking the car; it was always; we�re not sure. One day I got suspicious and planned to meet my daughter at their house. Before I went to the house, I drove around the block and low and behold, there was a little car with my daughters name on the parking tag. I went to the house, met with my daughter and ex and when my ex walked away, I asked my daughter if she wanted to show me her car. She flat out lied to my face and said she doesn�t have a car; about three times. Then her mother came back into the room and admitted she got the car for her. And, it was actually my ex that drove the car around the block to hide it from me. What an unfortunate experience my 17 year old daughter had to endure; her mother teaching her to lie and deceive her dad (which is pretty much standard now). So here�s the question; since we never mutually agreed to the car that my daughter is driving; of course I shouldn�t have to pay into the purchase, but should I have to pay into the insurance? If she was driving the car she originally wanted, the insurance would be a lot less. By the way I sold my Benz and I�m driving the car today.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Unless you're going to spend money and time going to court to get out of paying it you may consider it. She may file a violation peittion and the court could rule either way.