My question involves a marriage in the state of: Oregon
Hello,
In September 2014 registration expired on a vehicle of mine that my ex operates. I asked her repeatedly to register the car in her name, and she didn't respond to any of my requests.
Our divorce was finalized in February of 2015, and she was awarded the vehicle.
I asked her repeatedly to let me into our home to search for the title, but she refused so I couldn't sign it over to her. I actually was under the impression that by being awarded the vehicle it was automatically registered to her, like the house was put only in her name.
Finally, in July she let me in to search for something else and I found the title and left it with her. I didn't sign it, I didn't realize I had to. This was my error.
Last month, September 2015, I received a call from the State Department of Revenue saying that I had $1,800 in traffic violations I needed to pay. It turns out, she has been ticketed 4 times over the past 9 months for expired tags. I found the title and signed it and filed the sale with the state, but the tickets are still in my name. I had no idea until I got a phone call looking for money.
She has refused to register the car due to the pending fines, and my lawyer says that the best option is to go back to court to enforce the judgment.
My questions are:
- Am I responsible for her violations of driving an unregistered vehicle if the vehicle is in my name?
- Will a judge have me pay the fines before enforcing the judgement of her registering the car, even though I wasn't the driver?
I am at a loss at this point and looking for any insights.
Thank you,
Alex

