Bought SUV and friend titled it in her name temporarily. She now refuses return and demands $7k. Have texts as proof. What can I do?

Asked in Plymouth, IN on April 24, 2026 Last answered on June 10, 2026

I purchased a 2010 Land Rover via a private sale. Due to a license suspension, I entered a verbal agreement with a friend to have the vehicle titled and plated in her name temporarily. She agreed to hold the title "in trust" until my license was reinstated. I paid the full purchase price and provided $700 for taxes and fees. She took possession of the vehicle to go to the BMV and has refused to return it. She is now claiming sole ownership because the title is in her name. She has made multiple written demands for money (most recently $7,000) to return my property and has threatened to seize my computer equipment. I have Marketplace messages and bank records showing I am the original buyer, extensive SMS history explicitly showing her agreement to the temporary arrangement, and her subsequent demands for money (extortion). What are my next steps?

1 answer

Josiah Swinney
Answered by:

Josiah Swinney

Indianapolis, IN
Josiah Swinney, Criminal Attorney, Appeals & Personal Injury Lawyer, Indianapolis, IN 317-753-7134
Free Consultation
Answer

Oral contracts are permissible, and you can check your counties limit for filing into small claims court. I would Google the Statute of Frauds to prepare yourself for any argument that the contract needed to be in writing. For example, you must have a written contract for any agreement that is not to be performed within one (1) year from the making of the agreement. In the event that you were not to receive the vehicle back within the year, you can also argue that the texts constitute a written contract themselves. Be sure to print out the text messages in a way where you can see the date and the person's phone number. This will help with admissibility. 

June 10, 2026

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