"I hope you like the Circus" says the short round man next to my husband at the auction house. "Oh yeah, whys that?" asked my husband, Chris. The man replied laughing "because getting a lost boat title in Maryland is like jumping through flaming hoops". We had no idea what he meant or how true his statement would be.
On March 2,2011 my family went to a local auction house in the heart of Cecil County in the hopes of laying claims to a new treasure- a nice 14'ft bow rider boat for our small family of 3. A total of 2 boats were available, the first being the 14 footer w/ title and the other, 17 ftr w/ no title that needed some minor work. There was title for both boat trailer. First up on the block was the 14fter - which we won and for shits and giggles we got the 17ft for a mere $60. We paid for our treasures and happily headed home.
Both of our boats were previously registered to DE owners which is a no title state. After looking through the folder given to us by the auction house we learned this about our boats- Neither one had a title, well the one did but it belonged to a completely different boat registered in RI.. Crap.
The 14ftr was from a personal estate auction- the guy that owned it had passed away. We had the following document:
-Death certificate
-Registration copies
-Trailer title
-Title to another boat in another state.
The 17ftr had nothing but the trailer title.
For now lets focus on the 14fter since that was our main interest. The previous owner obviously cared for this boat. It was his baby. The floors were redone in stained, sealed wood, seats looked newly coved and everything was marked in detail down to the cans of replacement screws in the hideaway. I feel good about this boat.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Day 1
That Monday, we call our local DNR in Bel Air,MD to see what all we need to get a new title. After all, we have a death certificate,previous registrations and trailer title with his name that should more then be enough-WRONG.
We were told we need a short certification from the estate and some paper work from the executor of the will showing they had rights to auction the boat. What???? I didn't think they could sell his stuff with out permission anyway?
Death certificate-no good. Apparently, anyone can get a death certificate.
Then were told to track down the executor of the will for the dead man and go from there. We promptly call the auction house explaining we need a copy of paper work saying they legally could sell us the boat. They assures us they will be in contact with the owner of the estate and tell us to call back the following day.
In MD you have 30day from bill of sale to get the boat titled or face taxes and fines.
Summary:
The death certificate is no good, the bill of sale from the auction is useless because it can't prove they could legally sell the thing and we have a beautiful boat sitting with no title. And everything has to be done by a notary. Double Crap.
We were told we need a short certification from the estate and some paper work from the executor of the will showing they had rights to auction the boat. What???? I didn't think they could sell his stuff with out permission anyway?
Death certificate-no good. Apparently, anyone can get a death certificate.
Then were told to track down the executor of the will for the dead man and go from there. We promptly call the auction house explaining we need a copy of paper work saying they legally could sell us the boat. They assures us they will be in contact with the owner of the estate and tell us to call back the following day.
In MD you have 30day from bill of sale to get the boat titled or face taxes and fines.
Summary:
The death certificate is no good, the bill of sale from the auction is useless because it can't prove they could legally sell the thing and we have a beautiful boat sitting with no title. And everything has to be done by a notary. Double Crap.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Day 3
We call back the auction house who is now playing games- no one will take our calls or call us back. We are told "We are still waiting for the estate seller to call us back with information". A trip up there leaves us with no information and our blood boiling. What do we do now? Go forward with a homebuilt title? File abandon title? There has got to be something were missing.
Sumary:
Auction house was no help.
State wants us to digg up a dead man and have him sign paper work. Easier said then done.
Sumary:
Auction house was no help.
State wants us to digg up a dead man and have him sign paper work. Easier said then done.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Day 13
While messing round with the boat we where able to come across a spare key with a floater keyring attached. On that floater- was the deceased name a number. My husband and I look at each other with that look. The man had been dead for a year what are the odds? We call and this quite voice answers. It was his widow.
At first she thought it was a scammer calling for information and hung up on us. We called back and started to describe the boat to her, that got her attention and she began to listen. We explained we got the boat through the auction and that the paper work would not work in MD to get it titled and we need paperwork saying she was executer of the estate. We also asked if the auction house had contacted her about the situation. She had NOT heard from them since they came and picked stuff up. She didn't even know how much money her belonging's brought in- Shady auction if you ask me.
She offered to give us a copy of the the will and a notarized bill of sale. She happyliy exclaimed she was thrilled the boat went to a family who would apricate it and anything she could do to help us get it in the water she would sign- the woman is 85 years old.
Summary:
-Found previous owner's wife who is willing to help get documents needed.
- Auction is shady- good for junk crap- not boats in MD
At first she thought it was a scammer calling for information and hung up on us. We called back and started to describe the boat to her, that got her attention and she began to listen. We explained we got the boat through the auction and that the paper work would not work in MD to get it titled and we need paperwork saying she was executer of the estate. We also asked if the auction house had contacted her about the situation. She had NOT heard from them since they came and picked stuff up. She didn't even know how much money her belonging's brought in- Shady auction if you ask me.
She offered to give us a copy of the the will and a notarized bill of sale. She happyliy exclaimed she was thrilled the boat went to a family who would apricate it and anything she could do to help us get it in the water she would sign- the woman is 85 years old.
Summary:
-Found previous owner's wife who is willing to help get documents needed.
- Auction is shady- good for junk crap- not boats in MD
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Day 15
Off we go on a hour + road trip to meet this woman and get the ball rolling. We arrived at her bank and was greeted by her and her son. They explained how her husband had cancer for several years and the boat was a hobby for him. Everyday he could, he went out and tinkered with it. The son belived that boat is what kep him alive. The wife was moving in with the son who lived in an apartment in the city and therefore couldn't keep it. It was a very emotional scene as even my husband became teary eyed. We had everything noterized just in case. We parted ways hoping it would be the last we had to pry in on the grieving family.
Summary:
-Copy of will- noterized stating wife was exustive of the estate
-Noterized bill of sale
-This boat was destined to be enjoyed and cared for
Summary:
-Copy of will- noterized stating wife was exustive of the estate
-Noterized bill of sale
-This boat was destined to be enjoyed and cared for
Friday, March 11, 2011
Day 19
Confident we have everything in order we head to the Belair DNR to file for a new title. We were greeted by an overbearing woman who was in no mood to be bothered by anything but her soup bowl. We handed her all the forms and documents which she shoved back at us. "We need a Short Certificate". What?? Its the same damn paperwork as the Last Will and Testament!! Before they told us we needed the documents showing who the executive of the estate was and the gave permission to sell the boat and notarized Bill of Sale. She insisted the notarized copy of the will was no good even with the death certificate.
So how in the hell are we suppose to get a title for this boat?! The poor man is dead, we bothered his grieving family for personal documents and now your saying this isn't legal proof?!!
The MD DNR lady told us the only other way would be to get a short certificate or have the boat registered to us in DE then transfer the registration here.
I called the DE Registry of Wills for a short certificate- only estates over $200,000 have that. Normal folk get a affidavit of small estates through the DE DMV. Go figure.
Summary:
-MD DNR is retarded. The "short certificate" they need dosen't apply to small estates
-Wills and Testaments are not legal documents to the MD DNR
-We have to harrass a griving family yet again OR
try and get the boat registered in another state and then MD will "trust it's legal and legit" boat b/c DE signed the registration papers.
- we can't file Homemade title b/c the lady copied the paper work for the boat :<
- you have 30 days from Bill of Sale to get Boat Title or you get taxed.
So how in the hell are we suppose to get a title for this boat?! The poor man is dead, we bothered his grieving family for personal documents and now your saying this isn't legal proof?!!
The MD DNR lady told us the only other way would be to get a short certificate or have the boat registered to us in DE then transfer the registration here.
I called the DE Registry of Wills for a short certificate- only estates over $200,000 have that. Normal folk get a affidavit of small estates through the DE DMV. Go figure.
Summary:
-MD DNR is retarded. The "short certificate" they need dosen't apply to small estates
-Wills and Testaments are not legal documents to the MD DNR
-We have to harrass a griving family yet again OR
try and get the boat registered in another state and then MD will "trust it's legal and legit" boat b/c DE signed the registration papers.
- we can't file Homemade title b/c the lady copied the paper work for the boat :<
- you have 30 days from Bill of Sale to get Boat Title or you get taxed.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Day 20 bought a boat w/no Title in Md
Day 20:
Rather then harass that family anymore, my husband calls DE DNR and talks to them explaining what has happend in MD. They tell us they do boat registration by mail- simply mail copies of all the notarized documented and they will register the boat! Of course we have to pay to register it and then pay to have it registered in MD but if this works it will be worth it!!
MD MVA- We claimed HOMEMADE trailers for both boats. All that was needed was 2 picture front/bck of each trailer. Way more easier then dealing with anymore paper trail.
Summary:
Sent documents to DE DNR who have a "through the mail' boat registration.
MD MVA gave us homemade titles for both trailers without butt raping us.
THINGS THAT WON'T WORK TO GET A LOST OR NEW TITLE FOR MARYLAND BOAT
- Last Will and Testament- apparently even if the person says in the will so an so has rights to all my stuff- MD DNR won't take it
-Registration carbon copies- it's still official document from the DE DNR but they " want the little blue card"
- Filing for Homemade titles- the boat has previous owner and you have to find them- good luck Columbo!
- Death certificates- MD only accepts dead bodies, paper is not an option.
-Auction or Estate sale receipts- because they are useless
With our 17 fter that had no title no registion we had to do this:
HOMEMADE BOAT:)
Since we had such a hassel with the other boat that actually had documents, we registered this directly in DE as Homemade and then transfered everything to MD.
Is this Legal?? I don't care at this point. This was told to us by the MD DNR to do so we just took there advice and improved on it.
Good luck on getting your title- I hope you like the Circus.
Rather then harass that family anymore, my husband calls DE DNR and talks to them explaining what has happend in MD. They tell us they do boat registration by mail- simply mail copies of all the notarized documented and they will register the boat! Of course we have to pay to register it and then pay to have it registered in MD but if this works it will be worth it!!
MD MVA- We claimed HOMEMADE trailers for both boats. All that was needed was 2 picture front/bck of each trailer. Way more easier then dealing with anymore paper trail.
Summary:
Sent documents to DE DNR who have a "through the mail' boat registration.
MD MVA gave us homemade titles for both trailers without butt raping us.
THINGS THAT WON'T WORK TO GET A LOST OR NEW TITLE FOR MARYLAND BOAT
- Last Will and Testament- apparently even if the person says in the will so an so has rights to all my stuff- MD DNR won't take it
-Registration carbon copies- it's still official document from the DE DNR but they " want the little blue card"
- Filing for Homemade titles- the boat has previous owner and you have to find them- good luck Columbo!
- Death certificates- MD only accepts dead bodies, paper is not an option.
-Auction or Estate sale receipts- because they are useless
With our 17 fter that had no title no registion we had to do this:
HOMEMADE BOAT:)
Since we had such a hassel with the other boat that actually had documents, we registered this directly in DE as Homemade and then transfered everything to MD.
Is this Legal?? I don't care at this point. This was told to us by the MD DNR to do so we just took there advice and improved on it.
Good luck on getting your title- I hope you like the Circus.
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