Dumb (bad) move

[EddieCurrents]

Last year, my long time girlfriend forgot to put oil in her vehicle and it burned up. I had two vehicles and as I could only drive one at a time, I offered to LOAN her my 1987 Toyota van. This van still runs great and she happily accepted. Then she mentioned that she wanted to be insured, I agreed and once I looked into it, was told that the vehicle MUST be in her name to insure it in Florida. As she and I were talking marriage and moving to another state together, I foolishly agreed to sign my van over to her so that she could insure it. Our agreement was that she could use it for 2 or at most, 3 months and then turn it back over to me. Many people heard us speak of our arrangement including several members of her family, my friends and the people at the tax Collector (Tag office).

It has been over a year and she and I have long since parted. She refuses to give my van back and in fact, has gotten very ugly about it. She decided to keep it when she came to my house one day demanding that I loan her $500. I refused and she went wild, yelling that I'd NEVER see my van again and she'd sell it, abuse it or whatever she ****** well felt like.

I have several witnesses, I have dated emails from her insisting that she'd return my van and I have her word which has turned out to be worthless.

My question: Do I have ANY chance of recovery? I often move large equipment and it moves easily in my van, but not at all in my other vehicle. I NEED that van. The reason I write today is that my main vehicle is broken down and in the shop. I had to pay to get to work today. She lives 5 doors down from me and I have to see MY van virtually EVERY day - it was there this morning. I could have certainly used it to get to work.

She is spreading false information about me also. She has told her friends that I GAVE her the van permanently and this is complete fiction. She is a nurse and can afford her own vehicle but finds using mine for free to be much more attractive and she knows how it galls me to have to see it every day. She does not treat my van well as I did (it has 300,000+ miles on it and still going strong). I worry that she will destroy it long before I can recover it if that is possible at all.

Please help. Do I have a leg to stand on?? There is NO written contract. Again, I have a bunch of witnesses, her word and several emails on my side. She has only her lie on hers AND the title signed over and in her name.

Eddie Currents

[randalljd]

-If two or more owners or partners cannot agree on what to do with a piece of property such as a car, they may petition the court and the court will order a sale or refinancing etc. so that the one or more may get out of the property and/or the other(s) may keep it etc.--it is often done-- (This is true in some cases even for equitable owners that have paid various amounts etc., but for various reasons, may not be listed as owner. You have to argue it was intended that you are an owner as well under your original oral or written agreement) You may also argue that it was agreed that if she did not insure it and act properly etc., that you would be able to take it back. You could threaten to take this action if need be. It may cause compromise which is of course what you need here now.

[EddieCurrents]

I have not given up. I decided that what is needed is a good "boo" game. So I shuffled over to a local lawyers office and have asked that a letter be written to the woman that has my van. As it comes from a lawyer (for $225) and will be hand delivered by an off-duty cop, it will look pretty official. I have stated that due to her burning up her previous vehicles, I do not want my van back as I do not trust it's condition. Instead, I want $1000 cash or I will pursue a grand theft auto case. The lawyer is not too thrilled and refuses to include any language that could be construed as threatening so there is much "***** footing" around but this letter still might get the logjam moving. Time will tell.

Thanks for your reply.

EddieCurrents

[able1]

Let us know what happens!