co-owned vehicles in illinois?

Question

My ex-fiancee and I own a car together. We are both on the title and registration. She is hiding the car from me. What are my legal rights?

It is not a lease. The car is owned outright, no note. I cannot find any info on the SOS site for my state.

Answer 1

Does the title say "John Doe AND Mary Smith" or does it say "John Doe OR Mary Smith"?

If it says "AND" it takes both your signatures to do anything with the vehicle. If it says "OR" you can find it and claim it, and either take her name off and drive it, or sell it. Of course, she can also take your name off.

As to your legal rights, you might want to spend a half hour with an attorney.

Answer 2

She owns the vehicle, just like you do. If she gets in a wreck, you too will be brought in the circle. Are you wanting the vehicle to be your car, or what are you wanting to happen? If you want to release your interest in the car so that you will not be liable, you will need to contact this girl and tell her what your idea is. She and you will need to transfer the title into her name, you will do that by releasing your interest and if the vehicle is less than ten years old, you will sign the disclosure as the seller, and the ex will sign as the buyer, although no money is being transferred, a title transfer requires this. If you are wanting the car for yourself, she will need to release. As far as her hiding the car from you, she can legally do whatever she wants with the car, except sell it since you are an owner. I think I would let her have the car and move on with your life, being sure to sign the releases and processing the transaction correctly. If you have a lien on this car, you both will need to remain on the title until the loan is paid and the lienholder releases the title, or the account would need to be refinanced in one of your names.

Answer 3

try to buy her half of the lease?

You can take her to court and fight for the car. OR you can let her have the car and go and buy a new one!