Long Story… Iowa Car Title Dispute—what should I do?
Posted by thisloverisgood13@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 2 comments
Hi! So, this is a bit of a story but any advice would be helpful. I’ve been driving my car for the last 6 years, but it is not under my name. It belonged to my stepmom, then my brother, then me, but it is still under my stepmom’s name. Unfortunately, she and my dad split back in 2021, but I remained the operator of the vehicle. Then, my dad passed away in 2022, and I still had the vehicle. My stepmom had asked for the title of my car, but neither my family nor I had it or could locate it anywhere. She threatened to report the car as stolen if we didn’t get her the title (which we did not have) to her. This ended up being dropped and forgotten, and I have continued to drive the vehicle since then. In that time, I have paid the gas, registration, oil changes, replaced the battery, and all four tires. I have repeatedly tried to get the title, but to no avail. My stepmom has me blocked on everything so there is no way for me to contact her other than through my little sister which is obviously incredibly difficult. My stepmom claims to have mailed it, but it never showed up. My car isn’t even operable at the moment, and I am getting ready to move to Kansas City. For reference, I am currently in Iowa, the car was purchased in northern Iowa, and my stepmom resides in central Minnesota. I just want to get the car switched to my name so I can sell it and finally get this out of my way. There was some mention at some point of a lien on the vehicle, but I don’t know how much or if there’s any left to pay. I genuinely just want to get rid of this thing, but I am just stuck at a crossroads and don’t want to lug it with me unnecessarily if I don’t have to. What should I do?
corporaterebel@reddit
You got years off depreciation free use of a vehicle. You've done well. Move on.
Notify Stepmom, the best you can, where the vehicle is going to be so she can make arrangements to pick it up.
If no response, then leave it parked in a public street and eventually the authorities will take care of it.
ihadsexonce@reddit
The title isn't in your name, and the car isn't yours. Not your problem. Leave it somewhere safe, mail the keys to your ex-stepmom, and let her know where the car is.