Selling an Estate Car Ontario
Selling an Estate Car: Requirements and documents needed to sell an estate car in Ontario:
Selling an Estate Car in Ontario: If you find yourself in unfortunate position of having to sell a used car of an owner which is deceased, you will need to have proper information and legalities associated in these cases.
When a car is sold in Ontario, registered owner must sign vehicle ownership registration document. If owner is deceased, vehicle needs to be transferred under name of their spouse or person handling their estate in order to have car sold.
Selling an Estate Car Ontario
First, check for outstanding balances (Liens and/or Loans). Make sure vehicle does not have a remaining balance (if it was financed) and has been paid in full. If not, remaining balance has to be paid prior to selling.
Lender will provide a “Lien release letter” once balance has been cleared, vehicle can now be sold. Liens can be checked online www.carfax.ca or at a Ministry of transportation location (prices are more or less the same).
(There are several fast and safe options you can explore on where and how to safely Sell an Estate Car in Ontario).
Selling an estate car: Will
Usually, if a Will is produced, vehicle will pass into an estate. If you are beneficiary or executor of said estate, you will have all rights to sell the car.
If there is an understanding among living heirs of deceased owner for you to take possession of vehicle, you may be able to sell it immediately. However, proceeds of sale might need to be distributed equally among all heirs once sale is completed, depending on situation.
Selling an Estate Car: Vehicle Ownership Registration
When a vehicle is registered jointly (husband/wife ), surviving person can always transfer ownership under their name. They need to present a death certificate to Ministry of Transportation. If spouse is executor of the Will and vehicle is being transferred to a family member, then rules for transferring ownership of a vehicle to a family member apply.
If there is no Will then you must prove you are entitled of that vehicle. A letter of opinion is need to be written by your lawyer and provided to Ministry of Transportation.
Comments: If you have any questions or suggestions related to this post or Used Car Toronto in general, don’t hesitate to use comment section below.
I am the executrix & trustee for the Estate. I have a probated Will & Proof of Death. I have the used car information package & just had the car safetied. Can I sell the vehicle in the name of the Estate or do I have to transfer the vehicle to my name first. ServiceOntario has been no help on the phone. With the current pandemic, I am trying to reduce my visits to ServiceOntario (I would like this to be done in one visit). Would the buyer make a cheque out to the Estate? I am so frustrated by the lack of online information 😔
Hi Tracey,
You can sell your car without transferring it under your name, as long as you provide an estate copy to buyer as proof you are in charge of the estate.