Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Washington

Re: New owner does not transfer title

You are completely correct that this is a mess. When you gave the mobile home to your niece, did you fill out a report of sale so the title was in her name?

Sounds like that did not happen. Have you been getting the personal property tax assessment notices?

Because you are the owner of the mobile home, you have a quasi-relationship with the owner of the park it is in.

Did they evict her for not paying space rent? If so, they can impound the mobile home and sell it for the value of the rent (and the attorney fees and costs) that are due pursuant to the eviction.

But I can't tell from your question if that's an issue or not.

If your niece owed space rent, that's her obligation, arguably not yours.

But the mobile home could be claimed by the landlord to satisfy the judgment. If it is valued at more than the judgment, then the surplus, after sale, belongs to you.

But if it's not worth more than the judgment, it's your nieces' obligation, not yours.

But take the time to find the records at the Superior Court Clerk's office and learn for yourself exactly what is happening with the mobile home.

It may surprise you how easily a private investigator can find your niece.

After you are armed with the facts, that would be a good time to get a lawyer.

Hope this helps. Powell