[surfcitychik]

My husband and I have been married for 19 years. Nine years ago his parent gave him the money to buy a new truck. His name is the only name on the registration and it's our only vehicle in our family. I've asked him to put my name on the registration so that in the event he dies I can claim it and still have a vehicle to drive our three children around. He doesn't have a problem with that and has agreeded to do it. When he went to get the pink slip to change the registration he discovered that his mother is in possession of it and she is refusing to give it to him so that I can be put on it. We live in the state of California. What happens to the vehicle if he were to die? And how can he change the registration on the truck without the original pick slip? Thank you, SurfCityChik

[JudyKayTee]

He can't change it because he's not the owner. Only the owner can change it.

If he dies the truck goes back to the owner - in this case, his mother.

[surfcitychik]

He can't change it because he's not the owner. Only the owner can change it.

If he dies the truck goes back to the owner - in this case, his mother.

Thank you. But has I mentioned, the money was GIVEN to him. HE is the ONLY registered owner on the vehicle. I don't think his parents have a claim to the vehicle. California is a community property state, and the vehicle was purchased during our marriage. Neither of his parents are listed as owners on the vehicles.

[JudyKayTee]

Concerning the pink slip - there are two possibilities. The title is in her name and not his OR it's in his name and she won't give it to him.

If it is in his name then get a copy from DMV.

If it is in her name he is not the titled owner.

It doesn't matter whether he was married or not married when he bought the truck/she bought the truck/anyone bought the truck if the title is not in his name.

You are confusing the registration with the title.

I am in NY so someone in California will have to give an opinion if your understanding that he is the registered owner and, thus, the titled owner, is correct.

And, again, he must have a Will - cover the truck as part of the Will. If he owns it, it will pass as he directed; if he doesn't own it, it will not.

[ScottGem]

As Judy pointed out, you need to resolve who the actual owner is. The pink slip is generally the title to the vehicle, this can be different from the registration, but usually is not.

Have you husband go to the DMV show the registration and ask who has the title. If the title is in his name, that he just fills in the change and request a new title.

But its not necessary for your name to be on the title, just have a will where he lives all his worldly possessions to you.

[s_cianci]

By "pink slip", I presume you mean "title." If the registration's in his name, then the title would have to be too, even if his mother has physical possession of the document. Why won't she give it to you? She really has nothing to gain by holding on to it. And if your husband were to predecease you and you wished to keep the truck, then you'd have to present the title along with his death certificate and then the truck could be re-titled and re-registered in your name.

[JudyKayTee]

By "pink slip", I presume you mean "title." If the registration's in his name, then the title would have to be too, even if his mother has physical possession of the document. Why won't she give it to you? She really has nothing to gain by holding on to it. And if your husband were to predecease you and you wished to keep the truck, then you'd have to present the title along with his death certificate and then the truck could be re-titled and re-registered in your name.

This may be correct where you live but it is not 100% correct. I very often run license plates and discover that the registered owner is not the titled owner of the vehicle.

I have no idea how/why this happens... but it does happen and people are able to get insurance.