Does a verbal agreement for a car loan hold up, when the title is in only your name?

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I purchased a car roughly a year ago, for $1900, and my parents loaned me $1700 for it. Recently, my brother moved back in with us, and is looking to take the car, and he is talking about buying it for only $1300, and refuses to give me ANY money for what I put into it (an extra ~$400-$600), saying it is "lost money, because it was used for repairs". He is also planning to try to get my dad to take the car from me, even though the title is in ONLY my name, nobody elses. He thinks that just because I was loaned $1700 to buy the car, my father/parents have legal possession of it still, and can take me to court if they choose, and force me to sign the title over to my brother. Would the fact that the title is in only my name override that ability, as it was only a verbal agreement?

Attorney Answer

1
Dorothy Bunce ·
When you go into court relying on a verbal agreement, the judge has to decide who to believe. Documents, such as cancelled checks, can support the claim of one party over another to help the judge to make a decision. Unfortunately, the legal system isn't really set up to settle family squabbles. I suggest that you start treating your brother better & learn to resolve your own problems, as I am sure your parents are sick of both of your quarrels. What will you do when the other needs a kidney or blood transfusion? Blood should be thicker than water, don't you agree? Unfortunately, you will have to take the first step & treat your brother like his is, well, your brother.
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