Transferring an Automobile After Someone Passes Away
Losing a loved one is always difficult – it brings grief, uncertainty, and the need to adapt emotionally and financially. You may help ease some of the burdens on your loved ones by planning before your passing. In Texas, you may plan for the transferring of title to a vehicle. To legally transfer your car to someone after you pass, you will need to complete and submit two forms. First, you will need to complete the Beneficiary Designation for a Motor Vehicle form. This form allows you to assign a beneficiary – the person you would like for your vehicle to transfer to when you pass. Second, you must complete the Texas Title and/or Registration form. This form adds the beneficiary's name to your title. For more information about designating a beneficiary, including the required forms, visit Texas Law Help.
However, if you have experienced a loved one's death, the steps you take will depend on whether they had a will. When someone in your family passes with a will, the will's executor will likely use the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration form and the Letters Testamentary to make the transfer. While property passes immediately upon death to the beneficiaries, there still must be a transfer of ownership by proving the will in court. When there is no will or the will does not need to be probated in court, the heirs may have a car title transferred by completing an Application for Texas Title and/or Registration form and the Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle form. These forms are available at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
You must take the completed forms to the tax assessor’s office in the county where the person who passed resided. You may also need information about the vehicle including a vehicle inspection report and a copy of current proof of liability insurance.
For assistance completing the required forms, contact the county tax assessor-collector. To find your local county tax office, visit the County Tax Office directory.
