Please help with my probate question?

Question

My mother died 4 yrs ago and her estate was settled through probate. We thought everything was settled, the probate was closed. However, my mother had her name on the title of my sister's Jeep. My mother's name is the only name on the title. She had put her name on it to help my sister who did not have great credit. My sister paid off the vehicle while the probate was going on. She failed to get the title out of my mother's name. Now, she has the Jeep which is hers, that my Mother still legally owns. How do we get the title changed into my sister's name? Will the probate have to be reopened?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, the laws vary from state to state. You should post this question to the attorney that handled the initial probate for further advice. You should also contact the Department of Motor Vehicles. Sometimes they have forms that allow you to transfer the vehicle without having to go through probate. But again, you need to see a local attorney.

Answer 2

It depends on how the probate court handled your mother's estate in the first place. I do not have enough information here to tell you which it will be. To be safe, go to an attorney (preferrably the same one who handled your mother's estate while it was in probate). Either way, it can be handled very quickly and easily.

Answer 3

Yes. You should go to the Register of Wills with the title of the car. Let them help you with this. It should be a relatively short and painless process. It really is no big deal.