My dad passed away last year, he had a boat that is coming to me. Right now it's in his and his wifes name. 

The boat is sitting at her son's house and he needs it gone due to him moving. This is in Texas btw. So I have a good friend that will go get it and store it for me. Initially we talked about putting the title in his name and he would get insurance on it. Then we would transfer it back to me when I return. 

The son is apprehensive naturally, he doesn't know my friend. I'm wondering is there a way I can do a trust, basically my friend will have possession but it would technically be mine and we can put it into my name once I return from Japan.

Is there a legal way to do this?

You can be the legal owner and he can be the registered owner.

Bingo. It's how car dealerships, or anyone taking payments over time, allow use of the vehicle while retaining ultimate ownership until the transaction is complete.

thanks guys, how do i do it?

It appears they have different terms for some of this in Texas.

Couple of things:

* Why does he need to insure it if he’s just storing it, and not using it?

* Is there someone that handled your Dad’s estate that could advise you on this.

* caveat: I know he’s a good friend, but I’ve seen great friends, who served in war together, split over even simpler transactions.

Insurance is just in case anything happens.

Just my two cents. I’m not sure if it’s possible in your case. You retain ownership, rent a space from a reputable RV/Boat storage company in advance, in your name. Have your friend deliver it to the storage, compensate him for assisting.

Part of my statement about terms being different in Texas, has to do with what other terms were mentioned.

For instance, you may title it in your own name, and your friend may hold it under the title of “garageman”, as stipulated below.

But that article is from 2013, and laws change.

Maybe send an email to the law firm that wrote it & see if they have a simple, free, solution.

https://legaltalktexas.hammerle.com/bus ... oat-liens/

It's a lot of legal paperwork, storage fees, time and money spent lugging it to the friend's house and then going down there to get it and driving it back.

Sell it down there and buy something new with the proceeds (and the money you would have spent on fuel and lodging?

He’s in Japan, logistics aren’t that simple right now…

Plus, it was his Dad’s

It appears that you're contemplating all these title gyrations in order to get the thing insured. I don't think any of that is necessary. Just get it titled in your name.

Your friend can get it insured with you being the "named insured", and specifically tell the insurance folks the location where the boat will reside. Your friend should check with his insurance agent as this may be a simple low or no cost add-on to his home-owners policy (assuming he has one).

But how do I title it while I'm in Japan. I funny have an American address

I'll give this a shot. Thanks

use a notary?
See if title agency will accept notarized docs.

I don't understand why the son cares, tell him your friend will pick it up. Not a big deal. I'd contact the dmv down there, they might have the ability to E sign paperwork or they might have a form that your step mom would need to sign and send along with the title to you in Japan, that you then send to the dmv. The son is making a mountain out of a mole hill