Private party auto sale info

Jurisdiction
Florida
Hi, I'm trying to figure out what I can do legally in this situation I'm in. About a year ago I started the process of selling my truck to someone I know, that was having a hard time and they were going to make payments. Well, they started making the payments and then stopped, they have spent money on the vehicle to repair certain things. The vehicle in question is still tagged and registered to myself, my question is am I legally able to retrieve my vehicle? Do I have to send them a letter saying they have x amount of time to finish paying it off?

Thanks for any advice in advance.
 
Sounds like he is renting the truck to me. It is still in his name, not the buyer's.
I disagree. This is clearly a "sale", but one in which the seller has not transferred the title yet.

Of course, the OP is an idiot for structuring the "sale" in this way. Why would anyone want to keep a vehicle in their own name while another person owns it?
 
I disagree. This is clearly a "sale", but one in which the seller has not transferred the title yet.

Of course, the OP is an idiot for structuring the "sale" in this way. Why would anyone want to keep a vehicle in their own name while another person owns it?

You can call me an idiot if you must, but I'm just a guy trying to help someone in need, but it's been almost a year and I haven't gotten the money owed, it was setup in the fashion because once the car is in their name then how do I get what I'm owed?
 
You can call me an idiot if you must, but I'm just a guy trying to help someone in need, but it's been almost a year and I haven't gotten the money owed, it was setup in the fashion because once the car is in their name then how do I get what I'm owed?
By being the lienholder on the title as well as by writing a proper contract that allows for legal repossession of the vehicle, if needed.
 
The BEST way to handle this is to not carry the financing for another person. If the person can't pay you in full, then you don't sell them the vehicle. Let THEM go to the bank for financing.
 
It's a little late now. The deal is done (improperly) and there is no way you are going to get someone who isn't paying to sign a new agreement that makes it easier to repossess the car.

Basically it's my vehicle, tagged to me, registered to me, with no written contract, and I'm pretty much screwed unless they feel the need to finish paying me?
 
Basically it's my vehicle, tagged to me, registered to me, with no written contract, and I'm pretty much screwed unless they feel the need to finish paying me?
You SOLD him the vehicle. If you take it back, that is theft. You could have protected yourself against such an eventuality, but you chose not to.
 
I'm not here trying to do anybody wrong I'm just asking for a expert opinion, not everyone knows the smartest, or correct ways of going about everything.

So at this point if I have a written contract for the amount they still owe and had them sign it and transferred everything into their name that would be the correct step forward?
 
Basically it's my vehicle, tagged to me, registered to me, with no written contract, and I'm pretty much screwed unless they feel the need to finish paying me?

We've given you all the "legal" options. You are free to ignore them, go get the vehicle, lock it up someplace and hold it hostage until he pays you and hope the s--t doesn't hit the fan. I'm not saying do that, it's entirely up to you.
 
We've given you all the "legal" options. You are free to ignore them, go get the vehicle, lock it up someplace and hold it hostage until he pays you and hope the s--t doesn't hit the fan. I'm not saying do that, it's entirely up to you.

I honestly don't know why people come here for advice if this is how you treat them. I'm not trying to do anything illegal, I'm not trying to harm them by locking the vehicle away, I'm just trying to be finished with this whole mess and get the money I'm owed and that's it.

It is true the last guy finishes last.
 
I honestly don't know why people come here for advice if this is how you treat them. I'm not trying to do anything illegal, I'm not trying to harm them by locking the vehicle away, I'm just trying to be finished with this whole mess and get the money I'm owed and that's it.

It is true the last guy finishes last.

You really needn't take such a tone with the volunteers here. We didn't make this deal, you did. We have given you some of your option(s) as we see them, now it is up to you to decide how you want to proceed.

Keep in mind that you may have some liability if the guy driving the car runs over a couple of kids playing in the street.
 
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