Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Virginia
automobile transfer
friend died and mother in california doesn't want car but asked me to get it from her apartment so landlord couldn't take it. I have it but the friend left no will or POA so her mother is next of kin. What do we need to do to get this car in my name so I can either sell it or just get it out of my drive way. We were told by the state police that we cannot abandon it.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: automobile transfer
The mother will need to execute and file an affidavit of heirship with the Virginia probate court in the jurisdiction where her daughter died in order to acquire legal title to the
automobile whereupon she would be able to convey the vehicle title to you. If there is other property belonging to her deceased daughter, the mother will need to file the papers necessary to be appointed administrator of her daughter's (presumably)small estate so that this property may also be properly disposed of and any creditors paid who may present valid claims.
If the mother cannot afford to come to Virginia to handle this matter and cannot afford to hire a Virginia attorney to take care of it, you could ask one of the probate clerks how you might assist the mother in carrying through with this matter.