Deal with a vehicle in Vermont
You need to continue regular car payments, maintain vehicle registration, and then transfer the car's ownership. You cannot drive the car unless you have proper registration, and penalties will be charged if this is not done on time.
Transfer on Death (TOD)
An individual with sole ownership of a motor vehicle, watercraft, or outboard motor may decide to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to a Vermont title with a signed Form T-07.
Things the beneficiary must bring to the DMV:
The original Vermont title
A valid Death Certificate
A $35 title transfer fee
Vehicle Jointly titled to Surviving Spouse
If the deceased owned two vehicles, bring the following to the DMV:
A copy of the Death Certificate identifying the surviving spouse
Surviving Spouse statement (listed at the bottom of this document)
If there is a third (or subsequent) vehicle involved, the new owner will be required to pay the full fees for the title and registration, and payment of Purchase and Use Tax may apply.
Vehicle Jointly titled and title states ownership to be Joint Tenants or Partners]
A vehicle may be jointly owned with rights of survivorship. To indicate joint ownership with rights of survivorship, complete Form VT-012. If one party is deceased, the living owner must apply for the certificate of the title. The living owner must bring the following to the DMV:
A copy of the Death Certificate
Titled to Deceased Only, No Will, and No Probate
For cases in which the deceased died with no will, and there is no named estate administrator, bring the following to the DMV:
A copy of the Death Certificate
A letter from an officer of the court stating that the deceased died intestate, there is no estate to be probated or the estate need not be probated, and names the person who has the rights of ownership to the vehicle
Original title properly assigned with "Release of Liens" section completed by the lienholder, if applicable
Titled to Deceased Only, No Will, Probate
In the case the deceased died with no will, and there is a named estate administrator, bring the following to the DMV:
A letter from the Probate Judge naming the Administrator of the estate
Original title properly assigned with the "Release of Liens" section completed by the lienholder, if applicable, and Section 1 completed by the Administrator and other owner(s), if they exist, assigning the vehicle to the new owner(s)
Titled to Deceased Only, Will, No Probate
For cases in which the deceased died with a will, and there is no named estate administrator, bring the following to the DMV:
A copy of the Death Certificate
A letter from the officer of the court stating the deceased died leaving a will that was not probated and naming the person with rights of ownership to the vehicle
Original title properly assigned, with "Release of Liens" section completed by the lienholder, if applicable
Titled to Deceased Only, Will, Probate
For cases in which the deceased died with a will, and there is a named estate administrator, bring the following to the DMV:
A letter from Probate Court showing proof of appointment of Executor of the will
Original title properly assigned with "Release of Liens" section completed by the lienholder, if applicable, and Section 1 completed by the Executor and other owner(s), if they exist, assigning the vehicle to the new owner(s)