Is Anyone Here a Lawyer or Member of Law Enforcement?

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

I've got a situation.

My dad died in May of last year, and I'm the executor of his estate. It's been a nightmare. He died without a will and sorting through everything has been an awful mess.

My father lived in Iowa, and he had a "companion" that he met online. I've been very skeptical of this woman from the outset, but how do you tell your 78 year old father he's being taken for a ride? His "companion" lives in New Mexico, and my father would go down to New Mexico during the Winter months. Dad bought a motor home and left it in New Mexico, giving her full access. However, the motor home was only titled and registered in his name.

Well, after dad died, I discovered this woman had the motor home retitled and registered in her name.

I've spoken to several lawyers, including the DA of the county in which the motor home was stolen, as well as the state police and local law enforcement, and I haven't gotten anywhere.

Law enforcement is calling it a civil matter, even saying that this woman claims my father gave her the vehicle prior to his death. It's incredibly frustrating. If her claims are true, which they are not, why did she wait until after he died to retitle and reregister the vehicle?

Every attorney I've spoken to is calling this a law enforcement matter.

It's like nobody wants to do their ****ing job, and I'm at my wits end about this.

Any advice?

[Demonpenz]

You know a thread is about to pop off when it asks for legal advice. Shit is halfway into the hall of fame by thread title alone

[Fish]

Got a spare set of keys? Just go get it. She wouldn't have a leg to stand on without possession of it.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DenverChief

If the state retitled it in her name she must have had some supporting documentation - they don't just willy nilly change titles for people.

Of course, already said that. If she did it legally, there's no recourse. The RV belongs to her.

But the OP explicitly said there was no supporting documentation. So either it exists and the OP doesn't know about it or the OP is telling the truth and there's no documentation.

Which is why several people have already said we need more information - specifically, one would have to first look at the title to see if it's signed by him, it's legit his signature, and it was notarized. If all of things are true, she's probably hosed.

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

Originally Posted by raybec 4

All true, but the question is what would the father have wanted? He obviously cared for this woman in some type of way.

My father was in failing health, mind and body for the last several years of his life, and he was NOT using his best judgement in many ways, including this woman. They hadn't even seen each other for over two years. If my father had been able, I believe he would have taken the motor home back to Iowa before he passed, but he wasn't in condition to pull it off.

[scho63]

How old is she?
Is she ****able?
Do you have any pics?

[Donger]

[POND_OF_RED]

Sounds like he left it to her if he left it there and gave her full access to it. Be happy he had someone to keep him company and a reason to visit New Mexico in the winters. You may not have liked her, but it sounds like your father enjoyed her company. Is she currently living in the motor home? I think that would make it even more difficult with current squatters rights and everything having weird laws all over the place nowadays.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by GabyKeepsMeWarm

My father was in failing health, mind and body for the last several years of his life, and he was NOT using his best judgement in many ways, including this woman. They hadn't even seen each other for over two years. If my father had been able, I believe he would have taken the motor home back to Iowa before he passed, but he wasn't in condition to pull it off.

I don't doubt he was having trouble later in life. Not to sound harsh but if he wasn't impaired, not leaving a will is a pretty shitty thing to do to your kids.

[Shoes]

My advice would be to leave it to the professionals. By professionals I mean leave it to Jungle Law:

[DenverChief]

Originally Posted by Fish

Got a spare set of keys? Just go get it. She wouldn't have a leg to stand on without possession of it.

If it's titled in her name that would be theft...

[Skyy God]

Proving forgery is hard, even if you hire an expert. That’s why the DA doesn’t want to touch it.

[Dante84]

Is a title a public record? I'd imagine this documentation can be had by submitting a public record request.

[DenverChief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Of course, already said that. If she did it legally, there's no recourse. The RV belongs to her.

But the OP explicitly said there was no supporting documentation. So either it exists and the OP doesn't know about it or the OP is telling the truth and there's no documentation.

Which is why several people have already said we need more information - specifically, one would have to first look at the title to see if it's signed by him, it's legit his signature, and it was notarized. If all of things are true, she's probably hosed.

Originally Posted by GabyKeepsMeWarm

Well, after dad died, I discovered this woman had the motor home retitled and registered in her name.

That right there says she either had documentation he isn't aware of that the state agreed as acceptable or she forged documents - which is incredibly hard to prove sans contradictory documentation and typically left up to a court to decide (civil matter)

[ClevelandBronco]

Weird legal question. Is she a car thief or is she a squatter? Is the property in question a vehicle or a home?

[mr. tegu]

If she has Saul Goodman as her lawyer I’d say you are screwed.