ULPT: How can I keep my home(camper) when the previous owners ex-husband is taking her to court over it and will most likely report it as stolen?
Posted by rachw24041@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 55 comments
I was gifted a free 16 ft camper from a woman not too long ago, as I was homeless living in my car on the land I bought . This was a blessing ! I didn't have money to buy my own or start building my cabin yet, so I was so excited to have a roof over my head and heat for the winter. But her ex husband found out she got rid of it, and is taking her to court TODAY and he will most likely win and report it stolen.. The police already know I have it because they came to my property asking about some stolen 4 wheeler I know nothing about ( the ex husband reported that and this woman mentioned our names for some reason ) Anyway , I'm just so upset and mad that we may get blamed for stealing his old stuff when that's not what happened at all... So does anyone have any tips for getting to keep the camper? My first thought was to paint the whole thing and swap the vin for a junkyard one .. Possible move it somewhere where no one can find it. Uggh just so mad right now. Any advice appreciated..
BetterthanU4rl@reddit
You need the title to own it. You're living in borrowed property. She needs to get the title in her name, and then she can sign it over to you as a gift. You see, right now you're being used as a tool in a nasty divorce.
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
This is exactly how I feel right now.
Deep-Hovercraft6716@reddit
Have her write you a lease and then he'll have to evict you which can take months.
SeaworthinessLoud992@reddit
so If you have a signed bill of sale stating it was a gift that is a start.
Depending on the state & how the vehicles pink slip/title is phrased both parties may need to sign off on the sale/transfer.
Where I am at if both parties are on the title and there is an "AND" between the names, both need to sign/approve the sale.
If the title has an "OR" between the names, only one needs to sign/approve the sale.
If there is no AND or OR, it is implied as an AND, and both need to sign/approve of the sale/transfer.
This varies state by state but that is the general rule.
One last pro tip Vin swapping/tampering can in some cases be charged as a felony. Also any VIN at a junkyard has been reported to the DMV as salvaged/recycled so that would be a red flag if they were to run it.
wickedlees@reddit
There are typically more than one vin on a vehicle
Deep-Hovercraft6716@reddit
No, most cars have the same VIN multiple times. There's only one VIN but hidden in a few places.
Key-Requirement744@reddit
This is true. For US models, copies of the VIN can be found in multiple locations. Common ones are: windshield, driver door jamb, glovebox, stamped into the engine block, sticker under the hood, sticker under the spare.
wickedlees@reddit
Who’s voting me down for that stupid comment!
Daxmar29@reddit
I’m just downvoting you because everyone else is. Sorry, it’s the Reddit hive mind.
DoubleDareFan@reddit
Trolls.
I'm now will probably bet downvoted for answering your question.
Main_Tension_9305@reddit
Uh, no
Damion_205@reddit
Pretty sure that person is saying that the vin number is located in more than one spot on a car not that it has multiple vins.
And yes the vin is printed multiple times on a car.
Damion_205@reddit
More than one vin location. I got what you meant.
HowDoISpellEngineer@reddit
Not a lawyer, but I am wondering if there is a way kicking you out and having you return it would count is an illegal eviction. If they have to go through the courts and give you a 30 day notice, it would give you more time to find another place. What state are you in? If you actually need to be paying money to be considered a renter you could maybe Venmo the wife with the caption “rent money.” Do not do this until you figure out the local laws because it may actually be terrible advice. Again, I’m not a lawyer.
Regardless, if the police come, tell them you are living there and will be homeless if you are evicted. Make sure every officer there knows.
shawslate@reddit
A camper is titled like a car, trailer or mobile home, and is treated much more like a car than a mobile home.
If the husband gets a court order for it, they can likely just take it just like the bank does when someone stops paying on their car… but in this case it COULD be considered more like a stolen car, in which the person found in possession of it is arrested and their property forfeit.
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
That's interesting, might be a loophole . But I'm not sure if that would work. If the same cops come back to me they definitely won't care.. I feel they made it a bit obvious who's side they were on when they accused me of lying about knowing where some 4 wheeler was .. and it was clearly his side.
SimpleDebt1261@reddit
Was it transferred to just her after the divorce?
Do the divorce papers say she gets the camper? If they do then he's not going to win in court.
Did you get a title? Does she have a title in just her name? If she does have her sign the title over to you and that's it.
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
I couldn't tell you, I was under the assumption that It was hers because it was housed at her place of residence and her son in law was living in it .. But according to everyone the title still has his name on it too ..
shawslate@reddit
This sounds like she told you something completely different than what was actually going on and is now changing the story.
Slimchance09@reddit
Help me understand. In the edit you say it was “left to her when they split”, so why would he have any right to it now? He may be entitled to half of the proceeds from when she sold it at most, but if that was $Zero, she could easily give him half of that.
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
I'm guessing that's it was just left in her possession... But the title is still in both their names . To anyone else wondering why he would choose to do anything now, he seems to be an asshole for lack of a better word . And didn't like the fact she gave it away and wants to get back at her .
shawslate@reddit
Just remember that everyone seems to be an asshole when your experiences of them are filtered through someone who hates them. He might be an asshole, or the agreement between them might be completely different than what you were told.
Unethical in this case could be illegal, and if it is illegal enough, you might be looking at spending time in jail.
Elevatejeff@reddit
She was most likely ordered or agreed to sell it and split proceeds. She went full spite as expected and will be held accountable by the court
Stout6@reddit
You said you fixed it up? How much have you put into it? If it's a decent amount you can file a mechanics/ contractors lien against it.
AdSalt9219@reddit
What is the estimated market price of the camper? Are we talking thousands of dollars? Or hundreds?
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
Well it's about 10 years old. I'm guessing it would go for at least 5 grand
AdSalt9219@reddit
Have you considered trying GoFundMe? Your cause is more than worthy!
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
No I haven't .. I guess I find it difficult to ask or admit when I need some help. I appreciate your comment. I guess if worse comes to worse I'll check it out .
Jumpy-Ad6470@reddit
oof. Hope it goes in your favor but if it doesn't just keep in mind it wasn't hers to give away at that point.
Is the camper titled to you now? If so, she may be liable to pay him off.
Swapping the vin wont help you here nor damaging it.
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
The camper is not titled to me, just a written gift exchange . I believe the police mentioned something about her paying him off for it . I don't know the details but they are in court right now as I post this... So I'm not getting my hopes up .
Jumpy-Ad6470@reddit
any update since court yesterday?
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
Have not heard anything as of right now ...court could have postponed or something for all I know .
North_Mastodon_4310@reddit
You probably have some degree of tenants rights depending on the state. It’s possible that he would have to evict you to get you out, which could take months and get you through winter.
As for ULPT- it’s a camper, so maybe go camping? He can’t have it back if it can’t be found.
Eastern-Astronomer-6@reddit
Whose name is the title in?
Piss disks
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
It's in both their names . They divorced not too long ago..
Eastern-Astronomer-6@reddit
So you weren’t gifted anything. You live in their trailer. Move.
Little_stinker_69@reddit
Move, but take the trailer with you if it’s movable.
OmarRizzo@reddit
lol, sure sounds like she was gifted it. Read.
Eastern-Astronomer-6@reddit
I did. It wasn’t legally gifted.
OmarRizzo@reddit
Allegedly
OtherwiseBed4222@reddit
Or make a deal. They are not the wife?
HelicopterPenisHover@reddit
Charge them for storage. Look at what other storage places charge and add 10-20% for taking special care of it yourself. If it's been more than 3 months of non-payment put a lien on it. Trade ownership for forgiveness of debt owed.
XemptOne@reddit
make the camper immovable...
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
Thought about that, I have a spot on my land where I could move it and take the wheels off.. Very hard to access ..
AdamSezz@reddit
Take the wheels off and destroy the hitch and hitch frame.
bailey25u@reddit
If it is reported stolen, and you are still in it, do not speak to the police, get a lawyer.
Significant_Planter@reddit
Save the unethical stuff for if you lose the place. Right now play by the damn rules because that is your only option for keeping it! Figure out what she said about you and use any text messages, emails or if she left a message in any other way that she says you can have it! Show them that.
But definitely don't do anything unethical until after this is all over, because if you pull something and some shady shit starts happening this husband's going to buckle down and come after you and at this point you're living in stolen property if she's saying it's stolen. So go through all your messages and find all the proof you have and take that to the police.
MrsInTheMaking@reddit
If it was left to HER in the divorce then the title shouldnt have both names on it. Somethings not right here. You should tell the whole story (or get the whole story) and probably seek free legal advice on a different subreddit. This is very clearly a legal matter that is black and white depending on her will, property, and gifts DO count if you have any evidence such as a text or email or a neighbor with a camera facing your direction.
ReverendLoki@reddit
In my state, there is a big difference between a title that is for "Jack Smith AND Jill Smith", and one that is to "Jack Smith OR Jill Smith". Is there such a distinction here?
OlyVal@reddit
It's not yours unless the title is in your name.
ZanzaBarBQ@reddit
OP, sorry that you are in this situation. I see that you have not reviewed many unethical tips. I'm offering a couple that come to mind.
The thing to do is wait until you receive a court order to relinquish the camper. Right now, you are not a party to the current court proceeding. If the court orders that she return it to him, make her sue you to recover it. You have a signed document showing that it could be yours. Show up any ordered court appearances with a reason to request a continuance. This could keep you warm and toasty until spring.
Post your land with no trespassing signs. Take the wheels off and leave it on blocks. Hide the wheels. Hell, dog a moat around it. Anything that delays the trailer leaving your possession is a win for you.
Start looking for another used trailer. Winter is coming, which is the best time to get free campers that people don't want to store. Run a Facebook ad explaining that you are homeless, but have property to put a camper on.
How big is your property? Could you rent out a couple of RV storage lots? If someone pays you to store their trailer, they won't check on it until spring. This means you'll have a nicer trailer to live in for the winter.
Best of luck.
FarmhouseRules@reddit
No unethical tips bc Im worried about legal/criminal action being taken against you. Being unethical at this point will make you look guilty even though you aren’t. Do you have anything documenting the fact that this woman gave you the camper? Text messages, anything? Please do what you can to preserve that if so, so that you have some defense. And I hate it for you but if you aren’t the legal owner, like you didn’t actually go to the DMV to transfer ownership, they will come take it away so please prepare yourself.
rachw24041@reddit (OP)
Thank you. I'm just worried about being homless for winter , I just a written note saying it was gifted to me.. I know the reality of the situation. Everything is too good to be true at this point I'm just sick to my stomach playing this waiting game all day and wondering if/when the police will show up to take it .
FarmhouseRules@reddit
I’m so very sorry. I hope this goes your way. Sending positive prayers today. Update us if you can!!
thrownawayy64@reddit
UpdateMe!