I walked over to the heavy oak desk in the corner of the living room and pulled open the bottom drawer.

Inside was a heavy black fireproof steel box.

I lifted the lid, revealing a small tray holding my birth certificate, my professional engineering license, and my California tax filings.

I reached into my briefcase and took out the original state title certificate for the 2017 Toyota.

The blue security paper was crisp and uncreased.

On the front line, printed in sharp black ink, my full legal name sat clearly above the state seal.

There were no co-signers, no outstanding bank liens, and no legal holds.