Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington
Property of Deceased Spouse
If a person's spouse only has his name on the title of a vehicle does that vehicle go to the surviving spouse when he dies? (purchased during the marriage)
Asked on 9/08/07, 7:11 pm
2 Answers from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell
ELizabeth Powell PS Inc
Re: Property of Deceased Spouse
Based on these facts, I think the car is community property. There is a simple way to handle transfer of assets from a small estate to the survivors without a full formal probate IF the decendent did not own real property.
Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell
Answered on 9/12/07, 1:20 am
Christopher Steuart
IT Forensics, Inc.
Re: Property of Deceased Spouse
The default is that this is community property, and therefor goes to a surviving spouse. Sources of money and whether the person died with a will may affect how this question should be answered.
Answered on 9/08/07, 8:31 pm