Legal Question in Family Law in Oregon

Car ownership

YOUR QUESTION:

i am 17 and i want to move out of my house. the problem is, i have a car but it is under my grandfather's name(who i live with), and he told me that it is not legal for me to live outside the home and keep my car. he said in order for me to keep my car, i have to live there. is this true?

ANSWER:

YES, that is true, and your grandfather is right at least to the extent of his saying that you can keep the car but only so long as you remain in the home. Although you may view the vehicle as being �your car,� it really is not. The vehicle is titled and registered under your grandfather�s name. Consequently, as a matter of law, your grandfather (not you) is the actual legal owner of the vehicle and has the ultimate right of possession and control of the vehicle. Your grandfather is also legally liable (responsible) for any damage or injury to others resulting from the use of the vehicle, regardless who happens to be driving the vehicle at any given time. Your grandfather is also the one who is responsible for making sure the vehicle is properly insured, as required by law.

As a minor, you have no rights and you also have no responsibilities regarding what you view as being �your� car. When you attain age 18, thereby becoming an adult in the eyes of the law, you will be able (assuming you can afford it) to have a car under your own name. You will then have all of the rights and responsibilities that go along with being the owner of a motor vehicle. But for now, as to �your�car, those rights and responsibilities belong to your grandfather, not to you, and he is the one who is in control. (Be thankful for what you have and quit complaining.)

L.D. Gorin

Attorney at Law

Portland, Oregon

[email protected]