Are my parents allowed to take my car away from me, it's mine?

Question

This car is mine, my name is on the title and so is my grandma's name.

My dad has said stuff like he will never let me have it back, not going to support me anymore, and many other negative things...because I came home too late one night or something.
I admit I've disobeyed them and they just want to ground me.

I'm 21 now, pregnant, plan on moving in with boyfriend and marrying him someday and my parents don't understand that I need my car.

Once I change my address and move out can they still keep my car? Do me and my boyfriend have the law on our side?

It's fully paid for, 07 toyota yaris, i've been paying for the insurance unfortanately I am still on their insurance policy. My mom gave me $10,000 - HERE IS YOUR NEST EGG...thanks mom. My grandma gifted me even more money to get the yaris.

My boyfriend is moving at the end of this month to another city for his job (we're going from san antonio to corpus christi) and I plan on going with him whether I get my car back or not. If I have to I will buy a really cheap car there that gets me to work.

sorry about adding any useless details about my personal life, just trying to get the question out there.

Answer 1

I thought you were 16. If you are 21 your parents cannot control you like this. If the car is in you name, when you move out, take it, there is nothing you dad can do.

If you are 21, and pregnant, their job is done. Move out and take your car with you.

Answer 2

If the law says you are an adult at 21, then any property you may have titled to you (like your car) is yours to dispose of as you please. However, if the car is titled to both you AND your Grandma, it will have to be WITH her permission(and her signature if you were going to sell it). If the car is titled to you OR Grandma, then you may do with it as you please.

As the parent of a 25 yr old female, 23 yr old son, and a 15 yr old and 14 yr old girls also, I can tell you that your parents really are trying to guide you in the right direction, even though it may seem like they don't have your feelings in mind. It is very difficult watching your own children do things that are harmful to them, sometimes it is impossible...and I have come down hard on my own.
I wish I could take some of the frustration and regret I got from making mistakes and rebelling against my parents and give a taste of it to my children, so they would realize mistakes they
are making, or about to make. Sometimes..it works, and they
change course, and it works out to their benefit.

If your parents wanted you to have a crappy life, I guarantee you would know it. Believe it or not, I know they have done things you are not aware of that REALLY helped you, and maybe even was a real thrill that you have no idea they 'blessed' it, before you knew it. The car-they were probably asked by your Grandma if it was ok, before she got it for you.

Also..I din't realize fully until my Dad was no longer here, that he was my very best friend..more than anyone I had ever met. He always had my very best concerns in mind when advising me, or teaching me. Today, I judge someones maturity on how well they understand that. All those years from the time you were born, until you figured you were old enough to make you own decisions-someone was looking out for you. Just because you get the 'hard-nosed' portion of you Dad, doesn't mean that is all that he is. If I were to be really upfront with you, I would tell you it's because you are out of line. But since you don't want to hear that, I won't. Don't burn the wrong bridge behnd you. Your boyfriend certainly doesn't know you as well as your parents and Grandparents, even though it may seem like he does. Just because someone knows an intimate part of you as a person, that your parent doesn't know..doesn't make them more of an authority on who you are, or what you are. Remember, be decent to yourself...think of how many kids never get to even know their Dad.

Answer 3

The title is in your name so it is your car. By law they cannot take it away from you. In reality though, what are you going to do if they do take it and keep it? Report the car as a stolen property and send your dad to state prison for years? You need to try and work it out with them as an adult. They want the best for you.

Answer 4

No. They can't take your car if your name is on the title. Although I don't reccommend this because police will only make things horrible and messy; if they did try to take it, you could report the car stolen and the police would return it to the person who holds title. My real advice. Get your own place. Especially if you're 21 and you're going to start your own family and if you can't afford it get your boyfriend to step up and pitch in.

Answer 5

You are over the age of 18, a legal adult, and his name is not on the title. He has no legal standing and the car is yours. Once you move out, if he refuses to give it back, you may have to call the police to get it.

Answer 6

If you're 21 and the car is really in your name then they can't legally take it away. They can cancel the insurance so it might be a good idea to insure it under your name.

What does being pregnant have to do with the question?

Answer 7

No, they can't. You are over 18 and therefore an adult who can make decisions for yourself. You could press charges, but considering you and your parents have a very long life still ahead of you, pressing charges will not be soon forgotten. It sounds like you need to move into your own space as soon as you can. Good luck.

Answer 8

is your grandma trying to take the car or just your dad, your grandma has a claim against the car and is the car paid for, or who is making the payments. not enough information.

Answer 9

They can't take your car if your name is on the title. That could be considered grand theft if they didn't give it back.

Answer 10

No, if he does threaten him with reporting it stolen. Why does he want to take it back, and expect you to obey his rules, you are 21!