Basics
43 articles in this category
The most you can recover in small-claims court after a private car sale
A private car sale that goes bad often lands in small-claims court. The dollar cap you can recover swings from $2,500 to $25,000 depending on your state.
Snowmobile bill of sale: what to include and what states require
Some states title snowmobiles, others only register them, and the trail pass is a separate purchase from both. Here is how the paperwork works in the major snowmobile states and exactly what your sale document should list.
Can you get car insurance with just a bill of sale?
Most insurers will issue a policy on a newly purchased car using the bill of sale and the VIN as proof of insurable interest, and in most states you need that policy before you can register. Here is how the process works.
What a lien or encumbrance is, and how to tell if a car has one
A lien is a legal claim that lets someone else take a car if a debt goes unpaid. Here is how liens land on a title, why they block a clean sale, and how to check.
Titled, Registered, or Neither: How States Classify Vehicles and Property
A title proves you own something. Registration lets you drive it on public roads. Those are two different things, and knowing which one applies saves headaches at the sale.
Can You Sell a Trailer Without a Title?
Many trailers were never titled because they fall under a state weight limit. Here is how to sell one, what the buyer needs to register it, and why the bill of sale becomes the ownership record.
Mobile Home Bill of Sale: What to Include
A manufactured home carries more identifiers than a car, and the document has to say whether it is personal property or real property. Here is the field-by-field list.
Bill of Sale for Livestock, Equipment, and Other High-Value Personal Property
When there is no title, the bill of sale is the ownership record. Here is how to document tractors, livestock, tools, generators, and collectibles.
What an Odometer Disclosure Statement Is and When It Is Required
The odometer disclosure statement is a small form with a big job. Here is what it records, why federal law requires it, and how the 2021 rule change expanded which cars it covers.
Bill of Sale for an ATV, UTV, or Dirt Bike: What Off-Road Vehicles Need
Off-highway vehicles are titled in some states and only registered in others. Here is what an ATV, UTV, or dirt bike bill of sale needs to hold up.
Only 2 States Require a Notarized Bill of Sale. Here Is When Notarizing Actually Protects You.
We reviewed all 50 states and DC. Only two legally require a notarized vehicle bill of sale. Here is when a notary stamp genuinely protects you, and when it is just theater.
Vehicle Power of Attorney: When You Need One to Buy or Sell a Car
A vehicle power of attorney lets someone handle a car transaction on your behalf, from signing the title to registering at the DMV. This guide explains what it does, the common situations that call for one, and how it differs from a general power of attorney.