You need to continue regular car payments, maintain vehicle registration, and then transfer the car's ownership. In New Jersey, you can drive the car for 30 days after a death, but after that, you will not be permitted to drive the car.
All documents must be brought to a motor vehicle agency or full service agency to complete the transaction.
If the title is in both the husband and wife’s name:
Submit the old title, a copy of the death certificate and a notarized Affidavit (Form BA-62)
The $60 title fee will apply (the existing registration can be transferred for an additional $4.50). If the vehicle was left in a will:
Submit the old title properly assigned by the executor of the estate and a Surrogate's Short Certificate
Pay the $60 title fee (the existing registration can be transferred to an immediate member of the family for $4.50)
To transfer ownership to the estate
Apply for a Entity Identification Number (EIN – formerly CorpCode).
Once received, bring the EIN, the old title, the Surrogate's Short Certificate, and your driver’s license as proof of identification to a motor vehicle agency.
Pay the $60 title fee (or $85 for a financed vehicle title fee)
In addition, a new registration and proof of New Jersey insurance in the estate name is necessary if the vehicle will be operated.
If the owner dies without a will
Where there is a surviving spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner and the estate does not exceed $50,000
Present the current title along with an Affidavit of Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner/Civil Union Partner, which must include the raised seal of the County Surrogate, of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death. An original death certificate and a notarized MVC Affidavit (Form BA-62) are also required.
Where there are heirs, but no surviving spouse, domestic partner or civil union partner and the estate does not exceed $20,000:
Present the current title with an Affidavit of Next of Kin, which must include a raised seal of the County Surrogate, of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death.
Where the estate is worth more than the amounts listed above:
The title can be transferred to the surviving spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, heir or buyer by presenting the old title properly assigned and executed by the Administrator of the estate, along with an Administrator’s Short Certificate, which must include the raised seal of the County Surrogate, of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death.