How To Title a PWC Without Clear Title

[John Clements]

My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: TX

I bought both a trailer and a PWC from an individual that was in process of moving, approximately in March of this Year. (6 mos ago).

He did not have readily available his titles for these items as he was packed, and moving. He did give me a clear bill of sale with serial numbers, and cost of each item included.

When I went to title these items, state showed he was not the owner, his mother was (elderly lady), and he claims his father left him these items.

I gave to him the paperwork needed to allow her to get a replacement title, the phone number and information to show release of lein for clear title, and the paperwork for a title transfer. This was left the next day after the transaction, at his residence.

He has since left the state.

I have contacted him on several occasions, and he claims she now has a release of lein, but they have problems getting the other paperwork completed.
He is always accomodating, but nothing progresses.

In regards to the legal owner,I have her name, but her residence has since changed since the pwc was last registered. I cannot locate her. I have no way of contacting her, to resolve this with her, and nothing is occuring with him.

I have two of his phone numbers, no drivers lisc. number, or no new address, just his old address.

Can I put a lein on it to formally aquire it, should I go to small claims court to get a judgement for it,or what works best?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You've waited long enough that the police may not be interested, but you can try filing a police report. It seems quite possible that the seller knew he didn't have title and couldn't actually sell you his mother's property, but was trying to make a quick buck.

You can track down the title owner and convince her to transfer title to you, assuming she's willing. She doesn't have to do that. So far, you have no evidence that the title owner consented to this sale.

Otherwise, you can track him down, sue him, and hope he has money to pay a judgment.