Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

legal ownership of car

Washington State; Daughter was given car for 16th birthday. Divorce happened between parents in the same year with daughter deciding to live with mother; daughter decided to file CHINS petition and move out. She expects to take car that was given to her for 16th birthday. Car is in mother's name only since daughter is underage and is owned outright by mother. Daughter did not pay any money for the car. Car was given along with stipulations of trust and obeying and so on, which have not been obeyed. No paperwork on giving her the car. Mother wants to sell car. Can she sell it or can court require her to give daughter the car since it was a present; even though she has not followed the verbal rules to having the prevelidge of having the car. Daughter will not be 18 til 2008.


Asked on 5/09/07, 5:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: legal ownership of car

Is there a parenting plan? If so, you could invoke the dispute resolution section of the parenting plan and take the mother to dispute resolution to resolve this.

Who owns the car? The child cannot own the car, one of the two of you parents has to own it. Minors cannot own cars.

Court wants to stay the heck out of this. The divorce court has the jurisdiction and authority to require one of you parents to be responsible for this car.

I can't tell from your question what you want to have happen with the car. If you can articulate it maybe I can advise you better.

Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell

Read more
Answered on 5/09/07, 6:57 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Washington