ex's car is still registered in my name

[How to communicate after a contentious divorce...]

N/BPDx has not retired the plates for the car that I signed over to him early in the divorce process (back in 2011). I just received a registration renewal notification from the DMV.

Any suggestions on the best way to take care of this? I understand how it works with normal people, but I'm anticipating that N/BPDx will make it difficult.

I tried to find a way online to double-check that the title is in his name only, but don't see a (free) and easy way to do that. The DMV said I can fill out a form to make sure the car is no longer registered in my name (effectively canceling the plates), but I keep asking them how I would verify that the title was transferred, and their response suggests that they don't understand negative engagement. 

[livednlearned]

N/BPDx has not retired the plates for the car that I signed over to him early in the divorce process (back in 2011). I just received a registration renewal notification from the DMV.

Any suggestions on the best way to take care of this? I understand how it works with normal people, but I'm anticipating that N/BPDx will make it difficult.

I tried to find a way online to double-check that the title is in his name only, but don't see a (free) and easy way to do that. The DMV said I can fill out a form to make sure the car is no longer registered in my name (effectively canceling the plates), but I keep asking them how I would verify that the title was transferred, and their response suggests that they don't understand negative engagement. 

[ForeverDad]

In my state I was told changing title ownership forced a cancellation of the plates.  Or maybe it had to do with the difference in birth dates or months for the stickers I put on the plates.  Whichever it was, I had to put on new plates.

I would not be at all concerned forcing the cancellation of his plates.  It's "his" car now even if he didn't file the title change, though I don't know if him failing to do so exposes you to continuing liability.  You're not paying for his auto insurance, are you?  (Is he paying for your vehicle registration or insurance?  If so, beware that it's all done properly.  Midway through my divorce, my insurance company told me - after I inquired - that my then-separated ex had to get off my insurance policy because her car was no longer garaged at my residence, they gave her/us 60 days to split her off my policy.)

Do be concerned about your liability.

Don't be concerned about him.

[livednlearned]

I signed the car title over to him, and it was notarized by my L. Tho I don't think I have a copy of that transaction.

So you think it doesn't matter that the car is registered under my name? He allegedly has the title (although I'm not sure what all is supposed to happen to make that official), and he pays insurance for it.

If something happens to the car, I show up in the database as the owner of the car. Doesn't that mean I would have to pay any fees he incurs?

[livednlearned]

Darn! DMV just wrote back to say that the car title is still in my name.

Maybe I should sell it.

[ForeverDad]

Better than repossessing it.

Sadly, sounds like a lawyer question.  There must be something to file with the state that you signed title over to ex and want official acknowledgement that you're absolved of responsibility and liability for his failure to file and perhaps even incorrectly insured or not insured.

If he as the new owner would have to get new plates anyway, can someone quietly remove the plates - without getting into trouble - and drop them off at the DMV?  After all, you're not going to renew... .    Yeah, better not do that, might risk big legal trouble.  So let the plates expire.  Meanwhile, return form, keeping a copy of course, that the new owner since {date} is {so-and-so} residing at {address}.  Maybe lawyer can advise with more specifics.

[livednlearned]

This is what they wrote to tell me:

To cancel the registration this plate XXXXX will need to be turned in. If you no longer have the plate in your possession then You can report the plate as lost or stolen by completing an Application for Plate Turn in Verification form XYZ. You can obtain the form from our website at www.clickhere then clicking on the form under the License Plates section at the bottom of the page. You can mail it to DMV at XYZ Address or take it to DMV Agency.

You can complete form XYZ to remove this vehicle from your name. You can obtain the form from our website at www.clickhereagain and mail it to DMV, XYZ Address or take it to DMV Agency.

So here's where BPD stuff comes in. He pays off my car in 2 months. I want the title to come to me. Right now, it's my address in the system. He can change it, but only if it occurs to him. If the title is sent to him, then I pay $10 to get a duplicate title, which could take 8-10 weeks. To get the title put in only my name, he needs to sign. No way around it.

Sigh.

So do I wait and do a trade-off? Obviously he is not motivated to get his car in his name. He was like that during our marriage, never took care of paperwork or anything that involved much responsibility.

If I push the issue of the plates and registration now, then it will probably trigger him to think about the title for my car, too.

I'm having a hard time thinking through how best to get all this resolved. Maybe tell my L (we have a pre-settlement conference scheduled for May 15)? And hope to get at least N/BPDx's car solved then?

Gah. It's always something. And we still haven't sorted out the refi on the house.

Careful who you marry