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[achimelech51]

Okay, this is a tough one and I'm praying for any input that will help remedy my particular problem. I believe I've stumbled upon a loop hole in the vehicle and traffic laws but heres the details to my question and you decide . okay as of 6/9/2009 I purchased a 95 nissan maxima from a private buyer. (this is my first time ever buying a car) he provided a title and i printed out 2 copies of identical bill-of-sale papers ( one for him one for me) . Everything checked out about the guy, the name on his ID matched the name on the back of the title, He was selling the car for 850, its a deal. we both sign the bill-of-sale, and so did a witness, then came time to sign the title (at least I thought the buyer had to sign the title to verify new ownership to dmv) but thats where the mistake accord , he also was a first time seller as I was buyer. we both sign section 2 on the back of the title not knowing that the place was for dealers only ( should have read the fine print ). He then takes his plates, a few weeks later I insure the vehicle and attempt to register a legally purchased vehicle. DMV informs me of my mistake and suggest i contact the seller so he can apply for a duplicate title since the one I had was now void. I try everything in my power to contact him, the number he gave me was shut off so I search his name and find an address, take the bus all the way to his house to hear the dreadful news from his wife that he skipped town and moved to AZ and she could provided no additional information. A month has gone buy and i'm so frustrated but determined so i do some research and legally the car has been abandoned if i can not contact the "owner" its on my property i just can get a new title. Does anybody know the correct process i would have to go through in order to obtain a title or am i doomed and 1,000$ down the drain. I called 5 dmv numbers, they forwarded me to the title agency, title agency told me to try local police, I tried police in hope of obtaining a new title through abandonment (which is the legel term for the car in my particular situation) , they sent me to sheriff department, i go to sheriff, they send me to City Hall then NY City hall pretty much told me they don't handle things of that nature directly with me, i would have to consult an attorney or call legal aid for assistance on what to do. so basically i got the run around and nobody knows what to do, can anybody help? I'm calling legal aid today but yahoo wouldn't hurt to try.

[orlondo100]

You need to find the seller and get an affidavit, which is a notarized statement saying the title was signed in the wrong place in error.

Not finding them, an abandoned title is the way to go.

You are getting the runaround, KEEP CALLING.

You can apply for an abandoned title, you just need the form and someone at some state or county department has the form.

You might check into a mechanics lien. it works similarly.
In either event, you would be able to get a title, by paying a small fee and filling out the correct form.

You have to find the form. Someone in state or county government has the form.

DO NOT hire an attorney.

In the meantime, get temporary tags.