Dad May Spend My Savings On A Car I Don’t Want. What Should I Do When I Turn 18? (florida)

Location: Florida I’m turning 18 on December 12. Since I was 16, I’ve been saving money from my jobs, and because I couldn’t open my own account at the time, my dad told me to send the money to him and he would “hold it” strictly as savings for me. He repeatedly said the money was mine and that he would give it back to me on my 18th birthday.

I now have about $10,000 saved.

I told him recently that I only want to spend $3,000 of my savings on a used car because I’m moving out soon. He agreed to this clearly in text. But my sister told me he’s been looking at cars around $8,000, which is far above what I said and what he agreed to. I’m worried he will just buy a car without telling me, using my money, and justify it as a “gift” and leaving me with almost nothing left for moving out.

Here’s the proof I have: • Screenshots of him saying the money is my savings • Screenshots of him agreeing to the $3k limit • Paystubs showing all earnings are mine • Screenshots of every transfer from me to him • Screenshots of direct deposits into my account • Written notes of verbal conversations where he promised to return the money • A consistent history showing this money was never a gift, never rent, and never his to spend

At this point, I’m trying to prepare for the possibility that he refuses to give me the money back, or that he spends most of it on a car I didn’t approve of.

What course of action should I take if he does this?

Thanks to anyone who can give advice.