Ok so I bought at 99 jeep Cherokee, after 6-8 months it blew a head, so I was told. Both my step father and Brother in law are mechanics and both agreed I needed a new motor, OK so I'm stuck with no car n 2 kids. Well out the kindness of my step dads heart him and my mother bought me a 01 Cherokee. Ripped the lady off that had it for sale, n BTW my step father owns,he's own shop, he is very crooked and does things such as roll back miles on cars he sales. So $700 he p aid for the new truck, I came up with the idea of given him my 99 to fix and sale to get he's $ back. Deal! Well some drama happened And he showed up at 4:30 n took my jeep. Come to find out MY MOTHER put a lien on it in her name not he's. My step father said if I pay him 4000$ I could have it back, but he only paid $700 n plus I had no idea of a lien. What can I do? I'm tired of family taken from me and getting away with it. Can I go get my truck? My names on the title as well. Everyone's saying I'm pretty much screwed but I'm hoping my step dad slipped somewhere and there's something I can do. Pissed, and very hurt, he's such a mean person that should be caught for the dirty things he does. Please someone help me.

Did you register the car in your name? Do they have any documentation to support a lien?

Where is this happening?

Ok so I bought at 99 jeep Cherokee, after 6-8 months it blew a head, so I was told. Both my step father and Brother in law are mechanics and both agreed I needed a new motor, ok so I'm stuck with no car n 2 kids. Well out the kindness of my step dads heart him n my mother bought me a 01 Cherokee. Ripped the lady off that had it for sale, n BTW my step father owns,he's own shop, he is very crooked and does things such as roll back miles on cars he sales. So $700 he p aid for the new truck, I came up with the idea of given him my 99 to fix n sale to get hes $ back. Deal! Well some drama happened And he showed up at 4:30 n took my jeep. Come to find out MY MOTHER put a lien on it in her name not hes. My step father said if I pay him 4000$ I could have it back, but he only paid $700 n plus I had no idea of a lien. What can I do? I'm tired of family taken from me and getting away with it. Can I go get my truck? My names on the title aswell. Everyone's saying I'm pretty much screwed but I'm hoping my step dad slipped somewhere n there's something I can do. Pissed, n very hurt, he's such a mean person that should b caught for the dirty things he does. Please someone help me.


Let's see - you know your stepfather ripped off a woman who was selling a car.

What he paid for the car and how much he wants from you to buy it are two unrelated things. It's called free enterprise.

You can't just put a lien on a vehicle - for example, I couldn't just file a lien on Scottgem's vehicle. It's more complicated than that.

You can register a vehicle with a lien, you just can't sell it and keep the proceeds. Was it registered? He can't take it unless you break the terms of the agreement. What were the terms of your agreement with him?

Something is missing here - if he just swooped down and took it, call the Police.

Just so I have this straight - you didn't have a problem with him "ripping off" the woman who sold it to him. You do have a problem with him ripping you off.

The agreement was verbal and it was that I would give him my 99 jeep that had a blown head and he could fix that and sale it, that was my idea, I had given him my old jeep ab a,month before he took the new one back, leaving me without no truck. I filled a report because he was hiding both trucks, cops did nothing, said if he had a lien he was legally able to take it. Also I wasn't able to get any of mine or my kids personal belongings out. This was the start to a mess. My mom informs me that I wouldn't want it the truck back after the fact because my step dad had done all this and that to it. Said he changed the ignition but my key still fits and turns. I had NO IDEA OF LIEN!!

Also you wasn't aware of him ripping that lady off until all this,started. I have been trying to figure out how ne of that was legal.

IF I GO GET MY TRUCK CAN I GET IN TROUBLE? Its parked in their back yard.

You didn't answer the question of whether you registered the vehicle. How do you know there was a lien? Have you checked the title with the DMV?

Instead of yelling at us, give us the info we need to help.

The agreement was verbal and it was that I would give him my 99 jeep that had a blown head and he could fix that n sale it, that was my idea, I had given him my old jeep ab a,month b4 he took the new one back, leaving me without no truck. I filled a report bc he was hiding both trucks, cops did nothing, said if he had a lien he was legally able to take it. Also I wasn't able to get any of mine or my kids personal belongings out. This was the start to a mess. My mom informs me that I wouldn't want it the truck back after the fact because my step dad had done all this and that to it. Said he changed the ignition but my key still fits and turns. I had NO IDEA OF LIEN!!!!

Also u wasn't aware of him ripping that lady off until all this,started. I have been trying to figure out how ne of that was legal.

IF I GO GET MY TRUCK CAN I GET IN TROUBLE? its parked in their back yard.


It's hard to take you seriously when you type text speak -

Typing in caps is the same as yelling at me. Please stop.

If the Police told you "he" could take the vehicle why would you think you can take it back with no changed circumstances?

Again, you knew your stepfather is dishonest and "ripped off" other people but you did business with him? Why did you expect anything different?

'Some drama happened.'
Great explanation of events. Please try again, with facts.

Sorry, please don't think I'm yelling. Yes it was registerd in my name , title was in my name as well but my moms name was printed above mine, and the title got sent to their house instead of mine. No one said anything ab lien, nor was I shown on the title (front) where they had filled out the lien part. No doc of lien, no signature by me. I'm sure he will make up fake repairs n such to fight anything in court but I'm tired of him getting over on good people. I've reported him to the BBB and the city of Raleigh. My lawyer says go get it but than again I don't want to get in any trouble.

Check with DMV to see if a lien was registered. If not, you can go get it.

It wasn't business it was done as a gift because I had just spent 3000 on the jeep that blew yo. He did the same ring with my 1st car when the Alternater went out. If it's a loss than ill take it, its not the 1st from them. I would just once like to stand yo for myself. 1st I'm being serious, but wasn't expecting a answer to getting my truck back. It's been a few months and I've lost more than a truck. Thank u for yr help. I just wanted to know if he could possible get away with it. I don't have time for court n such, Im a single mom of 2. So sorry for "yelling" at u but I can't keep in with 20 questions.

It wasn't business it was done as a gift because I had just spent 3000 on the jeep that blew yo. He did the same ring with my 1st car when the Alternater went out. If its a loss than ill take it, its not the 1st from them. I would just once like to stand yo for myself. 1st I'm being serious, but wasn't expecting a answer to getting my truck back. It's been a few months and I've lost more than a truck. Thank u for yr help. I just wanted to know if he could possible get away with it. I don't have time for court n such, Im a single mom of 2. So sorry for "yelling" at u but I can't keep in with 20 questions.


You posted on a legal board. I don't know what type of advice you thought you would receive. I somewhat disagree with Scott. The Police already told you your stepfather had the right to take the vehicle, and so he did. I don't think they are now going to tell you you have the right to take it back.

At any rate if you're too busy to go to Small Claims Court then you are out of luck.

At some point you have to stop being the victimized single mother of two children and stand up for yourself.

Thanks for your help. Can I go online to the DMV and check that?



Check with DMV to see if a lien was registered. If not, you can go get it.

Thanks for your help. Can I go online to the DMV and check that?


Depends on where you are and if you are or are not on the lien.

This doesn't appear to be a false lien, by the way.