Tips on Buying Cars: Trade in owned by another, jeremy beck, divorce decree

Question
I have a car that currently has my ex-husbands name on the loan. We had two vehicles and when we divorced I kept the car. Instead of trying to refinance this vehicle I would like to get a new car. Can I trade in the car that I have for the new one? What would my ex need to do? Thank you

Answer
Cyenne,

Thanks for your question.  You will need to do a couple of things depending on the dealership that you trade it in at.  I am going to tell you what all you MIGHT need so that you can take it and have whatever it is that the dealership will ask you for.  The first thing is that you will need a copy of the divorce decree showing where the court ordered that you have the vehicle.  You will need to take your entire divorce decree not just that part.  They will have to make a copy of it.  Secondly the dealership might ask you for a copy of his drivers license, or that he come in and sign the Power of Attorney required to trade a vehicle in.  Most dealerships will just need a copy of the divorce decree though.  It is really going to depend on if you happen to get a finance manager/salesperson that knows what they are doing.  Other than that, you can trade the vehicle in and your ex shouldn't have to do anything, but he might if your dealership doesn't understand the laws.

I hope this helps, and I hope you find the vehicle you want.  If you need any help or advice while searching or while deciding, please don't hesitate to ask.

Good Luck!

Jeremy Beck