My daughter-in-law and stepson took the title to my husband's car and registered it to themselves. Supposedly there was a discussion 3 years ago, that if anything should happen, the car would go to them. Nothing in writing, just their word. He has dementia, and is at the end of life with a failing heart. The car was only in my husband's name, an oversight that didn’t seem important at the time. We’ve been married 50 years. Not only is this causing friction with my other 4 children, but my husband doesn’t want to upset anyone or cause a fight, and just doesn’t want to deal with it. I’m feeling betrayed, angry, and have no idea how to undo this without getting my husband upset. He’d rather not argue, (dementia), neither would I, but this is so wrong. I asked if they felt it was wrong morally, and they said, nope, not at all. What a mess. Any advice is appreciated.
Add working with the insurance company to your to do list. If your husband doesn’t own the car anymore, he’s probably due for a refund for any coverage after the transfer date.
I would take this as a warning, this daughter feels entitled. I would have all the locks changed in the house. I would make sure all legal documents are secure. If I felt it was needed, I would give a set of keys to the person I could trust and with that the place where all important papers are. Maybe buying a fire safe cabinet with a key only that person has. It is not unusual for step children to overlook a step parent when the bio parent passes. They think their rights override the step-parents. I so hope that your Wills read "what is yours is mine" because that means everything your husband owns is yours. He could leave certain things to his children but you would own everything else. Then its up to you how generous u want to be with your husbands personal effects. If you have joint accts, I may open one of my own and start having my SS and any pension go into that acct. Your entitled to half of what is in the joint acct. I would withdraw that. You need to protect yourself. Also, this SD needs to realize she didn't walk into her Dads house and take that title, she walked into your house too.
I would not be surprised that she had Dad sign that title over. You can claim he was incompetent to make that decision. Even if you don't get anywhere with this, you now know which child you need to watch.
Sit back and see what everyone does.
All I can think of is to make a police report. This will give you documentation and a place to start.
If your husband does not back you up, there is nothing you can do on your own to get the car back, unless you are POA. Maybe he did not share all the truth with you?
I hope this did not leave you without transportation of your own.
The car must have been an asset of the marriage, whether or not your name was on it?
You might need an attorney to protect your assets.
Try checking with the DMV who the car is now registered to.
The liability of a car transferring title can fall on you and your husband if the transfer is not complete, not insured in their name etc. and they have an accident.
Maybe there's a more subtle way to deal with this. Is there going to be any sort of inheritance to your/husband's children after he/you pass? I might add a codicil reducing this child's portion of the inheritance by the value of the car and split that extra amount money between the remaining children. From the description of this DIL, that would likely sting her more than anything else that might happen.
Or, since the wife will still be alive when dad passes, she can write into the new will how she wants it handled.
Since there was a whole lot of deception going on here, I can understand the siblings being upset and perhaps they need to have their own sit-down talk and explain to the sibling that now has the car exactly how they feel. Either that, or this will simmer until both parents have passed. A car is not worth division in a family. Deal with it now and move on. I hate seeing families destroyed because of money.
My father gave me mom's car (a 2012 Toyota) when she died. He then bought himself a new car (2020 Subaru) and told me that since I got mom's car, my sister gets his. Folks have told me that isn't fair. Why not? I am happy with the Toyota, it is serving me well. And I can't wait to see how thrilled my sister will be when I tell her the Subaru is hers. It isn't always about the money.
If your DIL took that title without your permission thats stealing. If your husband did not sign it, someone did so thats fraud.
Promising someone they can have something means nothing if its not in writing. Either a codicil has to be attached to a Will or something in writing that your husband signed.
There is a way to get a title replacement saying you lost it. I would really want to make sure that the car is insured by DIL. That your husband cannot be held responsible if there is a serious accident.
My husband has his car in his name, my car is in my name we share insurance bill. We were told years ago not to put our names both on the title. If ur sued and have the car in both names you could lose everything. In one name u can only be sued for half of your combined assets.
as spouse, your husband’s assets fall to you upon his passing. Including the car.
Are they carrying the car insurance?
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