Q: How would one sell and transfer the title of a vehicle from IN to KY if the owner is deceased and had no will?
My stepfather died and his sister is executor over his estate. She wants to give me his vehicle but we’re having trouble transferring the title to me. Car is in IN and I’m in KY. I was told a certain document signed by a judge was needed when I went to the BMV to ask how to transfer. Can she sign the title over to me being executor? His father was the informant on the death certificate so I was told he had to be the one signing documents that had to go through court in the county my stepfather died in. They chose not to go through probate court. Please help! Thank you!
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A:
To transfer the vehicle from Indiana to Kentucky, you’ll need to go through a few legal steps since your stepfather didn’t have a will and probate court was avoided. The executor (his sister) generally has the authority to handle the vehicle transfer, but if certain documents must go through the court, a judge's approval may be required, which is likely why you were informed that a document signed by a judge is necessary.
If the father was listed as the informant on the death certificate, it could mean he has a role in handling specific legal aspects related to the estate, depending on Indiana's rules. Since probate court wasn’t involved, this might complicate things, as the legal chain of authority needs to be clear.
It’s best to ensure the executor follows Indiana’s estate laws, which might include having the title cleared or a court order signed by a judge. You can also check with both the Indiana and Kentucky DMVs to confirm the exact documentation required. That should make the transfer process smoother for you.
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