What to Do With a Deceased Person's Car
A car is often one of the first estate assets that needs attention. It needs to be stored, insured, and eventually transferred, sold or disposed of. The right steps depend on how the car was titled and on your state's rules, but the overall process looks like this.
1. Find the title and loan details
- Locate the title (or the lender's details if there is a loan).
- Check whether the title names a co-owner or a transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary. Some states allow these, and they can let the car pass without probate.
2. Confirm who has authority
- A co-owner can often retitle the car into their own name.
- A TOD beneficiary usually claims it at the motor vehicle office with a death certificate.
- Otherwise the executor or administrator handles it as part of the estate, and many states have a simplified small-estate affidavit for vehicles.
Do not sell or give away the car until you know you have the legal authority. See executor duties checklist and probate timeline.
3. Keep it insured and secure
Tell the insurance company about the death but keep coverage in place while the car is in the estate, especially if anyone will drive it. Store it somewhere safe and keep the keys with the paperwork.
4. Deal with any loan
The loan stays a debt of the estate. Contact the lender; the estate can pay it off, or a family member may be able to refinance and keep the car.
5. Decide what to do with it
- Transfer it to a beneficiary through the motor vehicle office.
- Sell it privately, to a dealer or to an online car buyer. The executor usually signs the title using documents showing their authority.
- Donate it to a charity's vehicle program.
- Junk or scrap it if it no longer runs. Most scrap buyers still need a title or proof of authority.
After the sale or transfer, cancel the registration and insurance, return or transfer the plates as your state requires, and keep copies for the estate's records.
Clearing out the car and garage
Check the glovebox, trunk and under seats for documents, keys and valuables before the car leaves. For the rest of the garage, see house cleanout after death.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Title and probate rules vary by state; your state's motor vehicle office lists the exact forms.