there is a way to do it and it's not that hard...At my shop we file with the state to get cars with dead beat owners. We are required to wait something like 90 days and if the owner of the car has not showed up to pay his bill and collect his car the state will transfer ownership by reason of mechanic's lien on the car. My shop has scored 3 really nice z28 lt/ls1 cameros in this way.