Selling your car to a family member, close or distant, is a risky venture. It can either be great or it can be opening up a whole new can of worms. When you have to take your car back, you risk damaging family relationships for decades.
Taking your car back from relatives needs to be done the right way.
What are the steps to repossess a car
Here are some tips on how to get your car back when your family members refuse to honor the agreement and pay what they owe you:
- Do not take any action if bankruptcy is in progress. There are important steps to follow in this situation.
- Make sure to take what you own only. Do not take the items your family member owns, or if you do, you open yourself up to legal issues if proper procedure is not followed.
- Do not break the law when taking your car back. While you are allowed to get your property, you must do so within the boundaries of the law. Learn the laws of your state before taking any action.
- Have a spare key handy. That makes it easier to take your car back, but a locksmith or tow truck can be of service to you if you do not have a key.
- Have all paperwork in order. Even if it is a relative, make sure you have legal documents recording the sale and hold onto the title till the car is paid for.
Some final words
When you want to keep family peace and not cause rifts in the relationships, make sure to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t’. Keep every transaction legal and above board as well. Relatives are not always nice people and do not act properly when cars are involved.
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