Deceased Person Vehicle

by Arturo
(Glendale, California)

My uncle just passed away and owed money on his 2012 Honda Accord (why this much I don't know). The bank said he Pay off is $43,000. If the car is returned to the dealer, is my Aunt responsible for the balance even though she didn't co-sign?

Thank you for your assistance!

Comments for Deceased Person Vehicle

Click here to add your own comments

Jul 16, 2018
 Car passed down due to death with only a year left on it.
by: Anonymous

My grandma passed recently and had only a little over $3000 left to pay on a 2012 Ford fusion. The dealership refused to take the payments owed due to my grandma passing away. Now they say that the car have to be refinanced. Is that legal? We stay in Georgia.
Nov 11, 2017
 Help me
by: Anonymous

I would like to assume the loan and pay it off in full I have possession of the truck and I'm wondering how to go about this.
Sep 23, 2016
 Car Note
by: Anonymous

My husband passed away back in 2015 he died broke I had to beg borrow and plea to have him buried. However I have managed to continue to pay the car payment but the bank closed his account now the third party company that was taking out the payment biweekly has terminated their agreement as well unless I get executive ship documents.

Until I heard this I had no clue what this was because there was no reason for me to go to Probate my husband had less than 10,000 worth of bills. So I had no clue I even needed this paperwork.

Please help I need advise immediately.
May 26, 2016
 ownership debate
by: Anonymous

I have a car that was bought in 2008 my husbands aunt put the car in her name and we made the payments which also come out of her checking account we just give her the money.

She passed away bout 2 yrs ago we have been waiting on title to be signed over but her son has yet to do this now he wants the car back saying we didn't pay for it that the money came from her checking account we just give her the money didn't ask for receipt which we were stupid for that always get one so any advice on what we could do.
Mar 14, 2016
 Bankruptcy
by: Anonymous

My mother passed away while in bankruptcy there was no estate to draw from the vehicle she had I paid the balance but the Lein holder will no give me the title because my name was not on the original application ... What can I do to get the title?
Jul 30, 2015
 Mom passed away and she left a debt car
by: Anonymous

Mom passed away a month ago and she left a car debt of 23,000 my mom was single never married will that debt be charged to her daughters? What will happen?

Hope I get a right answer or advice thank you.

Reply from DebtCollectionAnswers.com:

We're sorry to hear of your loss. Unless you are a cosigner this debt should not become your responsibility. The lender will want the car back (unless it's worth more than what you owe - in which case the beneficiaries may be able to sell it and keep the difference). If there is an estate they may try to collect from it. The procedures for settling the estate vary by state.
Apr 29, 2013
 Deceased Person Vehicle
by: Debtcollectionanswers.com

California is a community property state so spouses are liable for the others's debts even if they do not sign for the debts. Therefore, your aunt is liable for the balance due on her husband's car.

However, if the car is returned to the dealer, the dealer will sell the car and apply the sale proceeds to the outstanding balance on the car. If the proceeds are not enough to pay off that balance, then your aunt would be responsible for paying whatever balance remains, which would be less than the $43K you say is owed on the car.

Before your aunt does anything about the car however, I recommend that she ask for a written accounting of the loan. Like you, I do not understand why the balance owed on a 2012 Honda Accord would be so large. A quick search on the Internet told me that the value of the car is about half that amount assuming he purchased a basic version of the car and not a luxury version.

If you need additional help or advice, I recommend you and your aunt talk to an attorney in your area.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Deceased Person's Debt Collection Questions.

Learn how debt collection laws can help you!
This website does not provide legal advice.
All information is for educational purposes only.
Copyright 2007 - 2019 by Mary Reed and Gerri Detweiler.
All rights reserved.
Read our Privacy Policy here