Bank with title to trailer/PWC went belly up. How can I get a lien release?

[macGruber]

I buy a lot of skis for a weekend warrior. Found a good pair of 06 FXHOs in Texas. Skis are titled in TX and trailer has no title but is registered in TX (didn't require title on trailer at the time). To make matters worse...the owner is deceased. I spoke with one of the sons and his brother is in charge of the estate and willing to help if I can find a path to success.

Aside from them or anyone else just forging their dad's signature, is there any way to get lien releases through any entity on stuff like trailers/skis?

I'm pretty sure this is going to just be a parts deal with an unregistrable trailer but the deal is worth it regardless. Just sucks that it has to be this way if so.

[Team Bilford]

Not a prob. You will need a Texas 130U for each of the three items. It will need to be signed by the person that is the registered owner. If he is deceased, one of his children can forge it without your knowledge or each of the heirs can sign a stop quick claim. Texas doesn't title trailers under a specific weight. As long as it has current registration, you will take the same steps as the skis. If you are in Texas, you will handle the trailer at your local tax office. You will have to go to a Parks and Wildlife Department office for the boats.

[steve45]

Assuming that you're in Texas, the tax office can do both. A Texas tax office can process an out-of-state boat title, but they can't process an out-of-state boat from a non-title state. (Done both). The TXDMV Form 130 U is for the trailer. A title is only required for a trailer with a gross weight of more than 4500 pounds. (I just bought a trailer that has a title and it only weighs 191 pounds.) For the 'Skis you need Form TPW 143 for each one, as well as the titles. Titles and Forms 130 U and TPW 143 must also be signed by the seller or his agent. A notary is NOT required.

Prior to death, a Power of Attorney could have signed the titles. He's out of the picture now, so I don't know the process. It will depend upon whether there was a will, and if it was probated. If not, you may need an Affidavit to Transfer Without Probate. If you have an attorney, give him or her a call.

EDIT: I just noticed the thread title. The bank should have the titles for all the vehicles. The executor may have non-negotiable titles, which doesn't help you. I would imagine that the bankruptcy court issued specific instructions as to who would handle vehicle title transfers. Definitely call your attorney.

[DrivingZiggy]

Bill of sale along with a Certificate of Death? Don't know. Just throwing stuff out there.

[Highline9]

You will have to go to a Parks and Wildlife Department office for the boats.

Take some patience pills and bring a lunch...These folks are not the easiest to work with.

[steve45]

How did this work out?

[macGruber]

It was a total fail. Hunted down and contacted the owner's son. Owner on record has died. Son said his brother is in charge of the estate and generally will not be interested in really dealing with any of this. Called the seller to let him know that I vetted it to make sure it wasn't stolen and was still willing to buy them for parts at his asking price. He was pretty confused and told me aren't you the guy that bought it yesterday? This guy had quite a few calls and hits on it, got confused and sold it to another guy the day before we were supposed to meet up. Ironically, the guy who actually bought them contacted me later looking for a motor for one of them LOL. Dead horse for me. Bought another pair of clean paper SUVs instead.

[steve45]

Well, it can be difficult to deal with a seller that's living, let alone dealing with a deceased owner and an executor that is probably very busy and unknowledgeable about what he has to do. It's not easy to step in and take over somebody else's finances.

I'm sure the buyer will run into problems when he tries to get them registered.

Oh, well, sounds like you're happy with what you got.