How do I go about getting the title for this vehicle?

[Lovelessly]

Over 10 years ago, a vehicle was left in my care. It was given to me to use until they came back for it. The owner never came back for it. I have contacted them and they refuse to compensate me at all. They left it with me for all this time, didn't want it, and I've been treating it as my own with all the repairs, paid for the tags, etc out of my own pocket. I've even put in a brand new transmission and air conditioning system! The work I've put into it are worth more then the vehicle itself.

The vehicle is a 1993 Chevy custom van with extended cab & over a 100 thousand miles on it.
It's been left with me for over 10 years.
I've put over $10 thousand worth of work into it.

Is this vehicle considered abandoned by it's owner?
How do I go about getting the title for this vehicle?

The owner says they will not sign the vehicle over to me willingly & at this point, I'm not willing to just give it back without compensation for the storage, care, and work put into it.

 

[army judge]

The owner must sign the title over to you.
If that doesn't happen, you could get in hot water for being in possession of a vehicle you don't own.
If the owner wants to get nasty, you could be charged with theft.
If you're smart, simply contact the local police or sheriff.
Ask them to tow the vehicle off of your property.
It's an old junker and isn't worth the legal hassle you could stumble into.

 

[Lovelessly]

With how much money I've put into it, I'm not willing to just give it back. You also can't charge someone with theft after you've left the vehicle with someone for 10 years. I know that much.

 

[army judge]

With how much money I've put into it, I'm not willing to just give it back. You also can't charge someone with theft after you've left the vehicle with someone for 10 years. I know that much.

Good for you.

However, if push comes to save, I suspect their story will differ from yours.

You say they left it with you.

They could say you stole it 10 years ago.

Now what?

The law is quite duplicitous in the way it entices people to lie.

Some people won't lie, hand on a Bible or not.

Others will lie to protect their interests and to win, or exact revenge.

No one teaches a five year to lie, but 99% of five year olds are extremely proficient and quite believable liars.

Good bye. Good luck.