It is devastating to lose a loved one to death’s icy grasp. Nobody would want it for their worst enemy. But death is a necessary part of life for all living things. What happens to a loved one’s belongings, like their car, after they pass away at the cold hands of death? Is it possible to take the car? Are you able to drive it? Driving a car that belongs to a deceased person is illegal.
If the deceased’s death was not more than 30 days ago, it is not against the law to drive a vehicle registered to them. When you are pulled over, though, you have to give the police the car title, proof of death, a court order, or any other documentation proving your right to drive the vehicle.
In the interim, if you are unable to transfer the title and register the vehicle in your name within 30 days, it is unlawful for you to operate a vehicle registered to a deceased person. You can face charges of a felony, misdemeanor, etc. This article will teach you about:
- Is Driving a Car Registered to a Dead Person Illegal?
- What Takes Place When You Get in a Dead Person’s Car?
- how long can you drive a deceased person’s car?
- how to transfer a car title after the death of the owner
Is Driving a Car Registered to a Dead Person Illegal?
It is usually against the law to drive a vehicle that belongs to a deceased individual. The registration of a car usually expires when the owner dies.
To stay within the law, you must either re-register the car in someone else’s name or transfer ownership. Operating such a vehicle may result in legal ramifications. This can entail paying fines or possibly having the car impounded.
What Takes Place When You Get in a Dead Person’s Car?
It’s imperative to abide by the law when driving someone else’s vehicle to prevent potential problems.
Usually, the procedure entails giving the vehicle’s ownership to the beneficiary or legitimate heir via the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a probate court.
If you drive a deceased person’s vehicle without officially transferring ownership, the following will happen:
Legal Concerns: Depending on the situation and local laws, driving a car without proper ownership may result in fines, penalties, or criminal prosecution.
Insurance Issues: If the policyholder has passed away, the insurance on the vehicle may no longer be valid, leaving you defenseless against damage or accidents. Any costs incurred may be directly your responsibility.
Liability: The deceased person’s insurance coverage may not apply if you get into an accident while using their vehicle, leaving you personally accountable for any injuries or damages.
Challenges with Probate: Operating the vehicle without settling its ownership status might make the probate procedure more difficult and prolong the time it takes to distribute the deceased’s assets to heirs.
Ownership Disputes: Conflicts over the deceased person’s inheritance may arise from other prospective heirs or beneficiaries contesting your right to use the car.
What is the Duration of a Deceased Person’s Car Ownership?
You cannot use a deceased person’s vehicle for any length of time without giving them ownership.
The general guideline that states one should not drive a deceased person’s vehicle without transferring ownership may have some exceptions:
Probate Procedure:
Sometimes the court will allow someone, such as the executor or administrator of the estate, to use the deceased person’s car for estate-related purposes while the probate process (the legal procedure to settle the deceased person’s estate) is ongoing. This authorization is frequently given in order to expedite the vehicle’s sale or to manage other estate-related matters.
Survivor Co-owner or Spouse:
When a married couple, for example, jointly owns a car and one of them dies, the surviving spouse may be able to keep driving the car without having to formally transfer ownership. Jurisdictions may have different laws pertaining to joint ownership.
Estate Organization:
It is possible to set up a trust in some estate planning scenarios that permits a chosen beneficiary to continue using certain assets—like a car—even after the original owner passes away. This arrangement should be carried out by the trust’s conditions and is usually formed through legal papers.
Temporary Use:
Under some circumstances, a court may authorize the vehicle’s temporary use for particular purposes, like giving it to a dealership for sale or letting a family member use it for a set amount of time.
Is It Illegal to Drive a Car Registered to a Deceased Person: Documents Required to Operate a Vehicle Belonging to a Dead Person
Upon registering a vehicle in memory of a deceased individual, the following documents are required:
- Title of the car;
- Proof of insurance
- evidence proving who owns the automobile;
- Evidence of the car’s legal transfer
- Proof of death
Is It Illegal to Drive a Car Registered to a Deceased Person: How To Transfer Title Of A Car After Owner Death
Following the owner’s passing, take the following actions to transfer the title of an automobile:
Obtain the Certificate of Death:
First, make sure you have a copy of the owner’s death certificate. Throughout the title transfer procedure, this document will be necessary.
Determine Who is the Beneficiary or Legal Heir:
Find out who the vehicle’s beneficiary or legal heir, is. This individual will be able to claim the vehicle as their own.
Find the Title of the Vehicle:
Locate the current title of the vehicle, which may be with the surviving owner, in a safe deposit box, or with their official documentation.
Finish Filling Out the Title Transfer Form:
Complete the relevant title transfer form, which is usually available at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a similar organization in your community. This form will ask for details regarding the car, the beneficiary or legal heir, and the dead owner.
Give Corroborating Documentation:
You might also need to submit a completed copy of the will, an affidavit of heirship, or a court ruling attesting to the ownership of the legal heir in addition to the completed form.
Pay Any Fees That Are Necessary:
Pay any necessary taxes and transfer fees in advance. Depending on your area and the car’s worth, the sum can change.
Send in the Documentation:
Visit your local DMV or other appropriate agency to turn in the completed title transfer form and the necessary supporting paperwork and money. After completing the transfer, they will issue a new title in the beneficiary’s or legal heir’s name.
Revise the Registration of the Vehicle:
Make sure to update the vehicle’s registration with the DMV upon obtaining the new title. By taking this step, you may make sure that the new owner’s name is officially on the registration.
Transfer Liabilities and Insurance:
To update the policy or transfer ownership to the new owner, get in touch with the dead owner’s vehicle insurance provider. Additionally, take care of any unpaid obligations or bills related to the car.
Save the Previous Title and Paperwork:
For future reference, store the previous title along with all pertinent paperwork, such as the death certificate, in a secure location.
Summary on Is It Illegal to Drive a Car Registered to a Deceased Person:
It is not against the law to drive a deceased person’s vehicle as long as the title has been transferred to your name and the registration is finished.
You can still drive the vehicle within 30 days of the deceased person’s passing if you haven’t yet transferred the title and registered it in your name.
If you are pulled over, you will need to present to the police the vehicle title, proof of death, a court order, or any other documentation proving your authority to operate the vehicle.
