Transfers Of Automobile Titles Upon Death

Under current law, the department of revenue (department) makes available a beneficiary designation form that allows the owner or joint owners of a vehicle to arrange for the transfer of the vehicle's title to a named beneficiary upon the death of the owner, or of the last surviving joint owner, of the vehicle. The bill adds language stating that:

• The division of motor vehicles within the department, rather than the department itself, shall administer the process;
• The personal representative of the estate of a deceased vehicle owner is not liable for obtaining a new certificate of title or for transferring title to the vehicle if the personal representative does not have actual knowledge of the existence of a valid, unrevoked beneficiary designation form; and
• A successor of a decedent or person acting on behalf of the successor is not liable for obtaining a new certificate of title or transferring title to the vehicle by an affidavit if the person does not have actual knowledge of the existence of a valid, unrevoked beneficiary designation form.
  (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)