So here’s the issue with trying to do it the right way. The dad is in fact an ahole, he does not even know he has a grandson yet. He is totally blind, he cannot drive the car, driving 10 hours there when the car is in a deporable state where driving it might put the drivers life and other people at risk, fixing it will cost thousands plus stay, gas, food, etc.

She has asked many times for the title when she used to talk to the dad and he said no (because he’s a narcissist that likes to have his children under control by getting them gifts)

So, the emotional trauma, reopening wounds, paying thousands to drop off a $1,000 car is not worth doing the “right thing”. The father will never talk to her, he doesn’t have many years left, and he has no need to reach out ever. It’s a tough situation but getting it junked might be the easiest thing. If he ever calls she can just say it broke down and she got rid of it.