QUESTION
how do I change title from deceased son in to my name?
Asked on Aug 17th, 2015 on General Practice - Ohio
More details to this question:
My son killed himself in December of last year. He owned nothing so there was no estate or probate. Three months later I paid off the 1995 corsica he had through a buy here pay here lot and they released the title, but in his name. I want to title it into mine and insure it. I don't want anyone else to have this car, it was his first and only car, so I really need to keep it even though it is not worth anything to anyone else. It is in bad shape and it is really just the principle. Eventually I will take the car to have it crushed, but it still runs, so once in awhile I will run it. I was told by BMV that probate will send it to auction and sell it to the estate.
1 ANSWER
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's understandable why you would not want to deal with estate issues, and it is possible that in Ohio there may be a shortcut that will allow you to register the car as your own with only a death certificate and an affidavit that your son left no will or other heir (e.g. spouse, child, sibling.) You should call your local department of motor vehicles to inquire. If not, however, I'm afraid you're going to have to start an estate administration proceeding (if there was no will) or probate proceeding (if your son left a will) to get your son's assets transferred from his estate to you.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2015 at 3:20 PM