Hello boating friends,
My dad passed away in June and I believe he was an active member of this forum (though I don't know what his handle was!). My mom (the administrator of his estate) and I are having an unbelievably complicated time figuring out how to get all the paperwork in order to sell my dad's 1986 Bayliner 3270, twin hino non-turbo diesels. This boat was near and dear to my family and me in my later childhood growing up, but in my dad's later years it sat for a while in the water so there's some work to be done and we are ready to cut our losses and stop paying the $400/month slip fee.
I have some questions for anyone who knows anything about selling a boat in California. Any guidance is much appreciated. Apologies for my naivete, this is a completely new world to me. Some backstory/information:
-- We have had interested buyers, but only recently did we finally get the letters testamentary/affidavit stating that my mom is the administrator of his estate, so have had to turn people away as it didn't appear that we could legally sell it (but we can now?). We were able to avoid going through probate.
-- We cannot find a california title or registration for the boat, only a current NVDC document! Here's my big question, do all boats in the state of california have to be registered? Is it possible that my dad had it registered and we can't find the actual paper registration, or is it also possible that he didn't need to and never did have it registered in the state, as being documented by NVDC surplants the need for state registration (!?)
-- I am making the assumption that we need to have a state title in order to sell it, but I'm not sure this is true. I've been on the phone with both DMV and with the NVDC and have gotten four different people telling me four different ways to do this. I'm not sure which is most expeditious/efficient. One way requires us to apply for a new registration, then transfer it from my dad's estate to my mom or me personally to have my or her name on the title. There is apparently another way which precludes the need to transfer it out of his name.
Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? Do we even need to involve the DMV?
Wish I knew someone in maritime law! Our family lawyer has no idea. Happy to provide any more info if I can... Thanks for any assistance.
My dad passed away in June and I believe he was an active member of this forum (though I don't know what his handle was!). My mom (the administrator of his estate) and I are having an unbelievably complicated time figuring out how to get all the paperwork in order to sell my dad's 1986 Bayliner 3270, twin hino non-turbo diesels. This boat was near and dear to my family and me in my later childhood growing up, but in my dad's later years it sat for a while in the water so there's some work to be done and we are ready to cut our losses and stop paying the $400/month slip fee.
I have some questions for anyone who knows anything about selling a boat in California. Any guidance is much appreciated. Apologies for my naivete, this is a completely new world to me. Some backstory/information:
-- We have had interested buyers, but only recently did we finally get the letters testamentary/affidavit stating that my mom is the administrator of his estate, so have had to turn people away as it didn't appear that we could legally sell it (but we can now?). We were able to avoid going through probate.
-- We cannot find a california title or registration for the boat, only a current NVDC document! Here's my big question, do all boats in the state of california have to be registered? Is it possible that my dad had it registered and we can't find the actual paper registration, or is it also possible that he didn't need to and never did have it registered in the state, as being documented by NVDC surplants the need for state registration (!?)
-- I am making the assumption that we need to have a state title in order to sell it, but I'm not sure this is true. I've been on the phone with both DMV and with the NVDC and have gotten four different people telling me four different ways to do this. I'm not sure which is most expeditious/efficient. One way requires us to apply for a new registration, then transfer it from my dad's estate to my mom or me personally to have my or her name on the title. There is apparently another way which precludes the need to transfer it out of his name.
Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? Do we even need to involve the DMV?
Wish I knew someone in maritime law! Our family lawyer has no idea. Happy to provide any more info if I can... Thanks for any assistance.
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