Towing Issues: Towed vehicle, gov pubs, storage fees

Question
QUESTION: A few years back I loaned a friend some money and he put me on his title as a lienholder, he paid me about 6 months ago and now his vehicle just got impounded and I got a notice of a lien sale, I guess he never removed me as a lien holder. The vehicle is worthless, they are claiing that the legal owner will be responsible for charges not covered under the sale. The question is am I liable?

ANSWER: in some states you will be, and others you might not be...

Now as Lien holder of record you would tend to be liable for towing and storage fees, and though you have been paid off, did you sign off on the title as lien satisfied?

Do you have any proof that you are paid and that the lien is cancelled, such as a copy of the title showing you have released the lien.

This kind of stuff is key in releasing the lien and I do believe that in many states you would be the one who went to DMV and did the paperwork to release the lien.

You will have to look at this like it was in court in order to determine if you are liable - responsible for any of the fees..
Do you think you could prove to a judge that you are not legally still a lien holder for the vehicle according to your state laws.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This is in California

Answer
Well California has great laws regarding towing vehicles, liens, and responsibilities of vehicle owners.

I would hate to say it but you most likely going to have a battle for not being responsible for some if not all of the towing and storage fees.

Like I said it all depends on your paperwork and if you notified DMV as you are required.

Check out the California DMV website and read all the laws on liens and such...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm


you will have the answers which I only can guess at.