Re: Court Order...
Nah, don't worry about it. If NJ has a process, then they must be able to deal with cleaning up missing titles.
Its a long story. Cliff Notes version, paid very little for a cool old boat at an estate auction, bill of sale only, no title, no registration. Unable to register it, at all. Had to have a title in the state I lived in...no such thing as an abandoned boat titling process. They could tell me that the boat wasn't stolen, and the last year it was registered...which I knew, and that boat registered owners were dead...also something I knew. Thus the abandoned boat label...
I have a lawyer friend who also advised me that it'd be best to use a titling service, which I did. I think it was $150 at the time & 7 days later, I had a clear & official state title from another state, where it could be titled, and a Bill of Sale, selling the boat to me. Walked in, transferred the title to me, in my state at the time, registered it and viola. Done.
Did I want to do it that way? Nope, but it was the only avenue available.
Now...Goldie (in my avatar), was also purchased without a title & or registration. (Bill of sale only) However, it was registered in North Carolina...which didn't title boats for years and years, but has recently legislated that all boat be titled. So they have had to be more flexible in what they'll accept as documentation for untitled/unregistered boats.
I had to sign an affidavit & write a history of what I knew about the boat (both notarized) send it in, and 2 weeks later, I had a NC State Title & registration. Cost $35.00 + a postage stamp.
Different states, very different processes.
I agree that if you follow the process, you'll be fine. Getting a court order could be a huge last hurdle, I thought an alternative suggestion might be worth it should it prove difficult & expensive.
Pretty sure, you'll have to file a petition with the court, get a date with the court to present your case, etc.
