Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Washington

Re: Auto Repair

Mechanics have a right to be paid for the work that they do, even if a non-owner authorized it.

They can take what is called a mechanic's lien and impound the car until the work on it is paid for, or if it isn't eventually they can sell the car to recoup their costs.

I know that you are convinced that this is all ex's fault, and you know, maybe it is. So sue HIM for the money to get the car back. If she's divorced and there's a decree, the court has the power to make him responsible for the bill and to pay her for the aggravation of what has happened -

so long as you can prove it.

When the car disappeared, how long was it before she found it? Did she make a police report about the missing car? How long between when she tracked it down and when she found it?

If it was a really short period of time, that suggests she had other information you aren't sharing; if it was a long time, I have to wonder how she eventually figured it out.

If he's close enough to get the car and take it to a mechanic and incur a big bill, how is he completely un-findable?

The mechanic's error was thinking he had the go-ahead, and chances are he has authorization for the work in writing.

There is no point in threatening to take him to small claims. Replevin actions happen in superior court only. The small claims court can award your wife a $4,000.00 judgment against her ex, but if there is all ready a divorce, there's no point in re-inventing the wheel, and plus, you owe the mechanic money.

Sorry this took so long. Powell