San Antonio Woman Receives Parking Ticket for Car She No Longer Owned

Bexar County Tax Assessor's Office steps in to resolve the issue

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:19am

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Alice Essary, an 84-year-old San Antonio resident, received a parking violation notice in the mail for a 2023 Honda Accord that she had traded in back in February 2025. Despite providing proof that she no longer owned the vehicle, Essary continued to receive fines and collections notices from the city. Fortunately, the Bexar County Tax Assessor's Office was able to intervene and get the case resolved, highlighting the importance of properly transferring vehicle ownership.

Why it matters

This case underscores the challenges that can arise when vehicle ownership is not properly transferred, even after a car has been sold. It also sheds light on the need for better education and awareness around the legal requirements for transferring vehicle titles, especially for older adults who may not be as familiar with the process.

The details

Essary traded in her 2023 Honda Accord in February 2025 but the vehicle title remained in her name until July of that year. This meant that when the car was later cited for a parking violation in June 2025, the city continued to pursue Essary for the fine, even though she no longer owned the vehicle. Essary made multiple attempts to resolve the issue, including providing written proof of the sale, but was told she would need to go to the DMV to get additional documentation.

  • Essary traded in her 2023 Honda Accord in February 2025.
  • In June 2025, the City of San Antonio Municipal Court issued a parking violation notice for the 2023 Honda Accord.
  • Essary received the first fine notification from the city in July 2025.
  • Essary received a second fine notification and a $314 collections notice in August 2025.
  • The Bexar County Tax Assessor's Office was able to resolve the issue in September 2025.

The players

Alice Essary

An 84-year-old San Antonio resident who traded in her 2023 Honda Accord in February 2025 but continued to receive parking violation notices and fines for the vehicle.

Albert Uresti

The head of the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collectors office, which was able to intervene and resolve the issue with the City of San Antonio Municipal Court and the collections law firm.

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What they’re saying

“It was shocking. I knew it wasn't my car. It was a license plate I had never had.”

— Alice Essary (KENS5.com)

“We provided it to the law firm and we provided it to the city. The law firm and the city got together and they closed the case. She will not get any more notices. We are making sure of that.”

— Albert Uresti, Head of Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collectors Office (KENS5.com)

What’s next

The Bexar County Tax Assessor's Office has confirmed that Essary will not receive any further notices or fines related to the 2023 Honda Accord, and they have worked with the City of San Antonio and the collections law firm to resolve the issue.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of properly transferring vehicle ownership when selling a car, as well as the need for better education and awareness around the legal requirements. It also demonstrates the value of having a responsive and proactive local government agency, like the Bexar County Tax Assessor's Office, that can step in to help resolve these types of issues for residents.