You hear it all the time… The divorce rate in the U.S is 50%. The American Psychological Association says it’s more like 40%. Is it accurate? It is not? Well, at eTags, we like to rely on statistics. For this particular automotive blog, we’re taking a closer look at Florida. About 50,000 couples seek legal divorce every year in the Sunshine State.
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According to RoadSnacks, which combines data from the Census Bureau and dozens of other sources for their reports, there are 10 cities in Florida with highest divorce rate in 2020. Live Oak, east of Tallahassee takes the number one spot on the list for highest divorce rate in Florida with 11%. Lake City, Florida, which is about 60 miles west of Jacksonville, takes the number four spot on the list with 10% divorce rate. Springfield, Marianna and Palatka join this list.
Divorce is tough emotionally, but it’s also a lot of hassles paperwork-wise and when it comes to splitting assets. Couples have to decide on how they’re going to divide items they’ve acquired during their time together. Decisions about funds, the house, collected art, child custody, and more are made throughout the process. How to split vehicles is another decision that needs to take place. eTags can help with this last hassle: keep reading to find out how to get car title in your name, after a divorce in Florida.
Sales tax not due in Florida
Transferring car titles is typically a part of final divorce settlements of assets. Please note that when a court grants ownership of a vehicle from one person to another, sales tax isn’t due in Florida. In other words, if the title transfer is part of the property settlement or divorce decree then it’s not taxable.
When you have legal documents
If you and your ex hold title to the vehicle jointly, removing your ex’s name simply means you have to apply for a new title only in your name. If you have a court or other legal document stating that you are (now) the sole owner of the vehicle, you can use that to have a new title issued in your name without your ex’s involvement. The same is true if the vehicle is titled only in your ex’s name and you were awarded ownership. A court or legal document will allow you to have a title issued in your name without your ex needing to sign anything.
When you don’t have court documents
If you don’t have a court or legal document stating that you’re (now) the owner of the vehicle, both you and your ex will need to sign the existing title. If the title was never received or is lost, you’ll need to order a replacement or duplicate title. When the vehicle is titled jointly, you both sign as the “sellers” and then you would also sign a second time as the “buyer.” In situations where the vehicle is titled only in your ex’s name, they would sign as the “seller” and you would sign only in the “buyer” section.
Title online after a divorce in Florida
With eTags, you can avoid long lines and use our secure software to upload copies of the documents related to applying for a new title without setting foot in a DMV office. Our title specialist will review your order and can provide instructions on how to sign forms and what documents you’ll need.
17 comments
My divorce was final a little over a year ago. In the court documents we were both awarded our own separate vehicles that are both paid off. The titles are held in both of our names with OR not AND. Can I just hand him his title and I take mine without signing anything?
If yes the above answer is yes…
Do I have to have a title reprinted in just my name on it or can I keep it the way it currently is and when I go to sell the car, I would be the only seller that needs to sign it over to the buyer? (Not requiring my former spouses signature to sell.)
Lastly, are there any legal ramifications for either one of us if I keep him on title until I sell?
For confirming if there are any legal ramifications for leaving his name on the title of the vehicle you took possession of, please speak with your attorney as your divorce may stipulate that you must transfer the title solely to your name or other requirements.
As it pertains to the DMV and what they will require; If the title has your names separated by “OR”, you can sell the vehicle just with your signature as the seller.
I have been Divorced since 2021 and I need my ex spouse off the title my car is paid for all by me and was. and is my full responsibility.. please let
Me know where I need to go from here
If you have cordial contact with your ex-husband, you can have him sign the FL title over to you. He would sign as the “seller” and you would “sign” as the buyer. You would then take the title to any FL tax collector office or tag agency or use eTags online transfer service to get a new title with just your name on it. If you do not have contact with your ex-husband and so cannot get him to sign the title over to you, then you will need to seek legal counsel in order to obtain full, legal ownership of the vehicle. Best of luck.
I am waiting on the divorce decree. My name and my soon to be ex husband’s name are on the title stating ‘or’. I will be keeping the car and I drive the vehicle, only. He will be making all payments. What steps do I need to take to get his name off the title and get it in my name only? Thanks
Since the title is being held by a financial institution, it is best that you handle everything with the lien holder. They will either handle the title transfer on their own OR send the paper to their local tag agency to have the transfer of ownership processed. It is at the lien holder’s mercy.
Thank you for posting an interesting article like this. I learned a lot from this. Keep on posting!
How do I remove my name from a title? It’s joined by OR not AND on the title. Divorce is pending. No contact is in place. I don’t want to be liable for his actions during this process.
Hello! Unfortunately, this might not be easy if no contact is in place. You’ll both need to sign the titles as sellers and he will need to sign as the buyer. Then technically, he as the “buyer” would complete the transfer. Good luck!
im divorced and title in both names, what do i need to do or need to bring with me to put title of car in my name? the car paid off and i made all the payments
Hello
Thank you for your comment! You’ll need the title signed over by the co-owner. They will sign as the seller and you will sign as the buyer. As there is no purchase price, leave that section blank. If you’re looking to only transfer the title you’ll just need your driver’s license. If you’re looking to register the vehicle in your name alone as well, you’ll need to also provide valid vehicle insurance in your name. You can do this in person at the DMV, however, the experts at eTags can confidently transfer your title into your name online from the comfort of your home. Visit our website and place an order for a title transfer to get started!
My ex husband was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon in June 2020. We were divorced in July 2019. There is a NO CONTACT order in place. The extra truck we owned has been abandoned in non working condition on our rental property. I am looking to move to a different state. How do I obtain a replacement title?
Sorry to hear that you have experienced that. If both of your names are on the FL title and separated by the word “or”, you alone can request a duplicate title with eTags.com . If your names are separated by “and”, either his signature will be required or you will need to provide official documents proving you have been awarded sole ownership of the vehicle.
I recently requested a title transfer to take my ex off of my car’s title.
Today I received a letter from the florida department of revenue saying I owe 2k in taxes.
I owned the car with him from day one and the car was declared mine in our divorce paperwork.
What do I do?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide legal advice regarding divorce proceedings.
Please contact the Florida Department of Revenue at 850-488-6800 for assistance in this matter.
Me & my husband are divorcing and both of our names are on the title. The title is online at DMV. No lien and he’s agreed to take his name off so we can file for a simple uncontested divorce. What do we do?
Hi there, here’s a response form our agents: Since the husband seems to be willing to cooperate, the wife would submit an order for and eTitle with both IDs. Once she has that title she will need to request a transfer so she can remove his name. The first service needed is “Replace lost title or get e-Title printed” & the second service needed is “Transfer your title”. You can do all this online at:
https://www.etags.com/app/fl?utm_source=blog_question