Motorhome Fire

I contacted Sonia and she was very helpful. Thank you for steering me to her.

Mexicans have a saying that in Mexico all is possible. Traffic cops will state that if you ask them if there is some way to get out of paying a fine. Of course this is corruption but I bet that if carolgary could get his vehicle cleared by greasing a few palms he would jump at the chance. I don't believe in Mordida but there can be times when being pure may not be the wisest choice.

Moisheh

Re Moisheh's about getting professional help -

This is a bit different - about Puerto Rico - but still sort of how the Spanish system works.

We had a house and there were title problems - I forget now exactly what. Some department was supposed to do something way back when but whatever it was never got done. Now the department had been phased out and no longer existed. What to do? Hired an abogado (lawyer). She knew that though departments are phased out they never actually fire anyone so somewhere those employees still exist. She knew who and where. We picked her up in our car and drove to San Juan where she directed us to a building. We went in and upstairs where we found an unmarked door with a small waiting room. She knocked on the door and went in - we waited outside. In a few minutes she was back out and all our problems were solved. The system in Mexico is not all that much different. There comes a time to seek professional help.

Moisheh - Thank you very much. We will certainly take your advice. I really do want this cleared up.

carolgary: You have reached the point where trying to resolve your problem without professional help is impossible. What you need is a "facilitator". Every Gringo community in Mexico has a person(s) who fits that title. Often they are Abogados but sometimes just a person who knows many officials and the ins and outs of getting to the right people. Even large foreign corporations use this type of person to obtain permits and more. Here are 2 people who may help:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sonia/252211011634302 Sonia lives in SMA and is active in some Mexico forums Another firm is :

www.chapalalaw.com

Spencer deals in many different matters. Mostly immigration but he has also helped many people with automobile problems. Hope this helps.

Moisheh

By the way, we did call the office in Palenque and faxed them a copy of what Mexico City wanted. We did not just ignore the whole situation. We have done all we can at this point without hiring someone. Don't know what to do. No answers from anyone anywhere.

Our burned van which was a total loss (burned to the ground) is still in limbo after a year. We spent 2 days with federal police and a judge in Palenque. Sent our many pages of legal paperwork to Mexico City. It took them only 3 days to return all of it. All they want is who in authority disposed of the van and did we cause any damage to the flora and fauna. Instead of returning it to us (we are in the US now), why can't they find out this information directly from the people In Authority who signed our documents in Palenque? At this point, we just cross in the wife's name, but I would really like my name to be cleared without spending tons of money to do it.

Wow, what great advice and information you all have imparted on us.
Thank you. Will I ever remember any of that when the times ever comes that I need it? Probably not but at least I know how to reach you all
again for support.

I like that idea of taking pictures of VIN with your passport along side.

Fellow travelers, thanks for all the knowledge you share with everyone benefiting.

This last comment from MEXICOWANDER is true, I have a friend that got his car stolen in Mexico City and took close to six months of doing paper work and a lawyer for him to be able to just leave the country, Another friend of mine and I rode with bill, at the famous check point before reaching Nuevo Laredo he was detained because he did not have the vehicle, he had all the papers from Hacienda, Aduanas, Relaciones Exteriores, Police etc, two hours later and after having signed over the stolen vehicle to the aduana one more time they let him go.

take photos of the vin number with your passport next to it and keep them safe, also if you can the tip decal on the windshield.

The VIN " Vehicle Identification Number" number is on the dash board left corner and is visible through the windshield.

navegator

Read the srory above about a fire and BANNED person. Hacienda is out of control. If a rig burns and VIN # Is destroyed say adios to the ability to get a subsequent TIP. Having the car stolen is worse yet. Problems? Try a get a grua to haul a rig that the VIN is destroyed. It ain't gonna happen without a marathon with insurance adjusters. No collision insurance. An abogado is going to cost around 500-dollars to unsnarl the legal knots. Moral. Protect the VIN.

This all seems to be hilarious as hell to folks who never have run afoul of Aduana. The PFP and SSP and local Ministerio Publico offer little help with regard to vehicles totalled.

The vehicle MUST be towed to a federal corralon by an AUTHORIZED grua tow truck company.

The operator in the corralon FEDERAL must issue a federal impound receipt. It will bear the official SHCP/SAT/HACIENDA stamps and seals.

The MINISTERIO PUBLICO must issue a document that absolves the owner of any claims, charges, damages real or imagined. The nearest oficina de Aduana will then provide a release that allows Aduana at the border to CLEAR the TIP from the computer. An Aduanero will work with a Banjercito cashier to issue the proper proof of compliance. Do not lose this receipt. You WILL be challenged the next TIP and only that release (not a copy) will get your TIPs from then on...

Bienvenidos A Mexico