What can I do if I allowed my ex girlfriend to have my name added to her truck title several years ago but she never took it off when we broke up and then had an accident?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What can I do if I allowed my ex girlfriend to have my name added to her truck title several years ago but she never took it off when we broke up and then had an accident?

I recently went to the dmv for a copy of my driving record and discovered that she had some sort of accident with the truck resulting in major dollar damage to someone else’s property. She told me my name was taken off of the title years ago but now I’m being held responsible for her actions, as I was listed as part-owner of the vehicle. I haven’t seen her in years. Now I’m getting collection notices as well.

Asked on February 2, 2016 under Bankruptcy Law, Illinois

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

If you were on the title, you were an owner, and so would be liable for all damage your girlfriend did driving it and all costs she caused others. Even if she had told you that she was taking your name off, that doesn't matter, from the perspective of what you would owe others, if your name was not in fact taken off--because you remained a legal owner. So legally, they can get the money from you.
You can sue you ex-girlfriend for anything you have to pay or costs you incur. Of course, you would need to find her, first--and then she'd need to have income or assets to pay you. This is why, in the future, *never* put your name on the title of any vehicle than that a spouse's or your own vehicle.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption