I Need some Help and advice

[Dave Barnett]

I have a friend of mine that has either found a great deal or a curse depending on the outcome. Another friend owns some property in a neighboring town. about 5 years ago a guy from out of state was pulling a new boat through MO. Due to his truck breaking down (what he was told) he dropped the boat on my friends property with the promise he would return to get it in a quick fashion. Time goes on, My friend doesn't live on the property and the boat got pressed to the back burner of his mind. Fast forward 5 years, my friend sold this property. There was an auction to sell off all items ( mostly farm equip etc.) The boat was added to the auction and the first friend of ours bought it. My property owner friend had an attorney to handle the auction as he was not able to be present due to health. The first friend wishing to get titles and legal ownership went to the attorney and was told point blank there wasn't enough $$$ or interest involved for him to fool with it. My friend wants to be legal and honest in his dealings and likes the boat very much. He is wanting to title it and use it. The boat has an Oklahoma Reg. But the law being as it is he can't get any info on the previous owner due to stalking laws prohibiting him from looking up registrations. He is afraid that if he just lays this all out to the authorities that the boat will get tied up in red tape for eons of time and the costs will end up being more that it's worth. No one knows who the original owner is, and after 5 years not certain if he is alive or what. I have speculated to him several thoughts. One being the boat could have been stolen etc. As I said he wants everything 100% legal. Can any of you give some advice as the best chain of action to take to stave off as much red tape and expense as possible? I would really like to be able to help him but I don't know much about dealing with things of this nature. Thanks for any and all info. God Bless.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: I Need some Help and advice

Does your state have an "abandoned vehicle" registration method?

(Not saying that would be quick, cheap or easy...but it would be legal)

 

[Dave Barnett]

Re: I Need some Help and advice

I am relatively sure we do have an abandonment title process. I would really like to hear from anyone who may have been through a lost, abandoned, etc. title process. My buddy is an older fella on fixed income, not very savvy when it comes to business and legal dealings. Myself, I would let the Mo water patrol start the ball rolling and follow along. I have done this (on lost title) and it can require a lengthy amount of time and depending on the situation can come to involve attorneys and fees that could nullify the boats worth. I would really like to hear from any of you that have bought "fix it uppers" possibly without titles and hear some of the methods used to get them legal.