Yes, someone else can sell your car for you if you, and they way to do this properly is by using a Power of Attorney.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to hire a lawyer!
Power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint an “agent” (Whoever is selling the car) to handle specific transactions on your behalf, such as selling your vehicle.
Related Articles To Read:
- How To Sign Over A Car Title
- How to Transfer A Car Title To A Family Member
- How to Transfer a Car Title After Death of Owner
Table of Contents
How To Sell a Car For Someone Else
The process of giving someone power of attorney to sell your car involves the following steps:
- Obtain a motor vehicle power of attorney form from your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a legal document provider.
- Fill out the form with your information, your agent’s information, and details about the vehicle, including the make, model, year, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Sign the document in the presence of a notary public, who will verify your identity and witness the signing.
- Provide your agent with the notarized power of attorney document, along with the vehicle title and any other necessary paperwork.
You or your “agent” will then be able to sign the title and complete the sale on your behalf.
The power of attorney protects both you and your agent by clearly defining the scope of their authority and ensuring that the transaction is legal.
Selling a car for a family member
If you need to sell a car for a family member who is unable to do so themselves due to illness, death, disability, or other reasons, the process is similar.
You’ll need to obtain a power of attorney that specifically grants you the authority to sell their vehicle.
When selling a car for a family member, it’s important to:
- Communicate clearly with your family member about the process and any decisions made[8].
- Keep detailed records of the transaction, including the bill of sale and any expenses incurred[8].
- Ensure that the proceeds from the sale are properly distributed according to your family member’s wishes or legal requirements.
Alternatives to Power of Attorney
Option 1
If you don’t want to use a power of attorney, you can also sell your car by signing the title over to the person who will be selling it for you.
However, this method can be risky because you’ll no longer have legal ownership of the vehicle, and the seller is not obligated to give you the money from the sale. So, make sure you trust whoever will be selling the car!
Option 2
Another option is to sell the car yourself and have your agent assist you with the process, such as by helping you advertise the vehicle, screen potential buyers, and negotiate the sale price.
Conclusion
If you need to sell a car for someone else, or have someone sell your car for you, use a form called “Power of Attorney” and lay out the precise scope of the authority so everything is on the up and up legally.
Make sure you trust any person you give a power of attorney to or sign over your title to.
