Legal Question in Criminal Law in Wisconsin

Vehicle Owner Liability for Accident After Car Sold and Not Retitled in Buyer's Name

Unfortunately, this is a very common problem. I always would advise retaining a copy of your title transfer documents as proof that you have sold the car, as well as a bill of sale. Since you lack these documents, however, you should immediately retain a lawyer who does bankruptcy work. A bankruptcy discharge should cancel any such liability and allow you to renew your license and registration. You could have avoided this if you had hired an attorney and fought the initial proceedings to hold you responsible, whether those were through the courts or through DOT financial responsibility proceedings. If you could have proven that the title was transferred, you could have prevailed in both proceedings, even if the buyer failed to register it. However, once a judgment or revocation order are entered, it is extremely difficult to reopen them, and generally cheaper to declare bankruptcy. These online comments are not intended as legal advice or to create any attorney-client relationship between us. Good luck!