Deal with a vehicle in Washington
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.
Vehicle Jointly titled with Right of Survivorship
A vehicle may be jointly owned with rights of survivorship. 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 DOL office:
A copy of the death certificate
The Estate is Administered
If the deceased failed to leave a will, the vehicle may be titled in the name of the estate of the deceased with the signature of a personal representative. A copy of the court order appointing or confirming the personal representative must be attached to the application of certificate of ownership. The title may then be transferred by bringing the following to the DOL office:
Letters of testamentary; or
Letter of administration; or
Certificate of county clerk
The Estate is Under Community Property
In the state of Washington, marital property is split equally. If the vehicle was acquired by either spousal party during the course of the marriage, the living spouse must bring the following to the DOL office to transfer the title to their name:
A copy of the death certificate
A copy of the community property agreement
The Estate is Not Administered
In the case the estate is not administered, the named heir must bring the following to the DOL office to transfer the title to their name:
A copy of the death certificate
A completed affidavit of inheritance; or
A completed affidavit of succession