sketchy seller and need some help please !!!
 

I was interested in a 45k boat. I was going to finance 20k and put down 25k. The boat is titled in a dead uncles and hasn't been tagged this year. Said the reason it was titled in his name is because he didn't want the ex wife to get it. They do have the lean release and tile signed but then he wants the check made out to his curRent girlfriend. Does this seem fishy or am I being to cautious. Can the boat be tied up in an estate and not know it? Opinions would be helpful because I'm leaning to not buying it even though it was everything I wanted.

Whenever I find myself in those situations on life...its like the force is trying to tell me something..... Become one with the force Luke

Take a deep breath. Pause. Then walk away. I'm sure the next "perfect boat" is still out there waiting for you.

Pass

signed by who? . . . the dead guy? and someone (who?) wants check made out to dead guys girlfriend? . . . so dead guys wife doesnt know? . . . :confused: . . . . uhhhhhh . . . . . run


or is it the boats current owner who put it in his uncles name who died and is wanting check in his girlsfiends name so wife does not know . . . either way how did the title get signed . . . hmmm

IF it's paid off, have them go get the title transferred into someone who is alive/present--'s name.
With the Uncle's death certificate, that will not cost anything; or only a small transfer fee.

Keep all documentation; and if things check out, proceed with caution along with your bank doing their due diligence as well.

Agree with the above ^^^^

His story makes sense to me but you need to be legally covered.

Whatever name is on the title should be the name you put on the cheque. If the payee is deceased, the money can still be paid into his trustees account and it becomes part of his estate and divided up according to his will. If he's been dead a looong time and trustee accounts are all closed, it's up to the vendor to get the title in a name to whom you can write the cheque. As Sydwaz stated.

Dont give up on the boat, just do a bit more legwork, maybe pay a lawyer a few hundred to do the work for you?

RR

His problems should not be your problems. Have him straighten it out.

Could be a legit boat and sale, but you never know. Best case scenario is that you now have to take on the stress, hassle and potential issues this guy created by trying to hide assets.
He's not likely to change the title into someone else's name prior to selling it to you as that would likely require paying sales tax.
As far as the dead uncle who signed the title, lots of potential issues. Did he have an estate? Creditors who are owed money? In my state the dmv has guidelines also about getting rid of the vehicles after someone dies. What if the guys ex and her attorney get wind of the sale?
Once the check clears you'll likely be on you own for any red tape issues that arise. You can't even claim not knowing because the person you are dealing with is not who's name is on the title and you are writing a check to yet a third person. Better be a screaming deal and even then you better go above and beyond to cover your butt if that's even possible.

I think they kilt the uncle, forged the doc's and are selling his chit.......lol.........Run Forrest,....man Ive heard some whoppers on this site but this one takes first place.

more to this story is needed. I mean i suppose uncle could have been on numbered days and signed title before death and that would have to be verifiable. If trusted uncle had nephews asset, in this case the boat, in his name thats perfectly understandable and legal for whatever reason. Its the who signed what where when and why that makes it sketchy. You really just need to look at it exactly as it stands and how they situation unfolded to determine your actual risk.

Everything about this stinks. Maybe it's legit, maybe its not. I'd pass.

Factor in time lost, inconvenience ( Monster P.I.A) and possible legal fees if you are involved in a misrepresented/shady sale and see if the boat still seems like a good buy..... lawyers love money and thieves don't care how bad you get screwed

Laws regarding possessions of deceased persons vary from state to state. In Michigan, the only person that can transfer a title is the executor of the estate,(so named prior to death of owner) or a "court appointed personal representative" who must show the court documents & death certificate to the secretary of state when applying for the new title. Either way, the sellers must provide you a clean title with one of their names on it. If they can't / won't provide that, RUN FORREST RUN!

One would not have to pay sales tax for a boat that has been bequeathed to them.

Absolutely correct.

So if this was a hidden asset in divorce proceedings that gets discovered, can the ex come after it?

I asked him about paying the check payable tot he trustee a few days ago. He just said find another bank lol.

Guy who legally owns a boat is dead
Dead man signed the title
Nephew who claims to own the boat hid assent in divorce
Said Nephew wants check to be made out to a third party
Same said Nephew then says find another Bank

Tell him to find another Buyer.

Agree, his subterfuge shouldn't be yours.

I thought his story was believeable until now.
Gotta change my mind now and go with the general consensus. Get the Hell outta there, may he rot in a bed of lies and deception with his new girlfriend.

OSO is a good resource, what are you looking for? Put the word out here, someone might know of a good boat and a straightforward deal. Good luck.

RR

If you like to gamble throw that 25k onto roulette.

at least when you lose you know right then and don't waste months to hear it.