My elderly mother has a brain tumor where she can't drive anymore (indefinitely). She has a financed car that has 20,000 left to pay. What is my best options of getting rid of this car? We just put her in an living assisted home.
What is the value of the car versus the balance? That may influence both answers and your decision in the end?
Two different approaches I've taken w/two different family members I was POA for...
For my father's partner who passed away, the value was more than the payoff. I likely lost money, but I (as executor at that point) sold it back to the dealership because of the convenience. They cut the check to my father as the beneficiary under the will, and my father received all of the refunds for the various "insurances" he purchased.
For another family member, still alive but with no assets, I ended up contacting the finance company and I turned it back in (voluntary repossession). They could have hounded me (as the POA, not me personally) for the difference between the value and the loan, but they didn't pursue anything (luckily?). No guarantees a financier wouldn't get a judgment against the person who signed for the financing, of course. But you can't squeeze blood from a turnip.
I'd also look at any of the extra packages or insurance protections that she may or may not have purchased. Perhaps there's a GAP coverage that might have a benefit or exception in the terms that you could use?
Assuming you have POA over your mother's affairs, you could certainly get the payoff and talk to the finance company about options - especially if its upside-down at this point. If the value is more than the payoff, you may have more options available.
* Twenty thousand * still to pay on this car? Is that right?
Hm! Your mother must like her cars! How long has she had it? What's it worth?
You just need to add up and see whether or not it's worth completing the finance package and then selling the car on your mother's behalf or buying it from her at the going rate.
It might also be worth contacting the dealer and seeing if it's possible to come to some sort of arrangement, again strictly on your mother's behalf - make sure NOBODY gets the false impression that you're accepting any kind of financial liability here. In the circumstances, and if the car's in virtually mint condition, you might well be able to negotiate a painless way out.
Is she still alert? Could she sign off on the sale? (Like sign the pink slip.) Could she sign the form of payment from the buyer? Do you live close so you could deposit it into her account?
If not, you need to find out if it can be transferred to you. You could contact the dealer or finance company that she used to see how that would work.
To sell it; Do a "KBB" (Kelly Blue Book) or "Edmunds" search to find out what it's worth. Do any service and minor repairs. Put it on Craigslist and wait for the phone calls.
Two different approaches I've taken w/two different family members I was POA for...
For my father's partner who passed away, the value was more than the payoff. I likely lost money, but I (as executor at that point) sold it back to the dealership because of the convenience. They cut the check to my father as the beneficiary under the will, and my father received all of the refunds for the various "insurances" he purchased.
For another family member, still alive but with no assets, I ended up contacting the finance company and I turned it back in (voluntary repossession). They could have hounded me (as the POA, not me personally) for the difference between the value and the loan, but they didn't pursue anything (luckily?). No guarantees a financier wouldn't get a judgment against the person who signed for the financing, of course. But you can't squeeze blood from a turnip.
I'd also look at any of the extra packages or insurance protections that she may or may not have purchased. Perhaps there's a GAP coverage that might have a benefit or exception in the terms that you could use?
Assuming you have POA over your mother's affairs, you could certainly get the payoff and talk to the finance company about options - especially if its upside-down at this point. If the value is more than the payoff, you may have more options available.
Best wishes...
Hm! Your mother must like her cars! How long has she had it? What's it worth?
You just need to add up and see whether or not it's worth completing the finance package and then selling the car on your mother's behalf or buying it from her at the going rate.
It might also be worth contacting the dealer and seeing if it's possible to come to some sort of arrangement, again strictly on your mother's behalf - make sure NOBODY gets the false impression that you're accepting any kind of financial liability here. In the circumstances, and if the car's in virtually mint condition, you might well be able to negotiate a painless way out.
(Like sign the pink slip.) Could she sign the form of payment from the buyer? Do you live close so you could deposit it into her account?
If not, you need to find out if it can be transferred to you. You could contact the dealer or finance company that she used to see how that would work.
To sell it;
Do a "KBB" (Kelly Blue Book) or "Edmunds" search to find out what it's worth.
Do any service and minor repairs.
Put it on Craigslist and wait for the phone calls.