I have done a little reading but I can not get a clear cut answer. How does one do a title transfer on a vehicle that has no title to it as the title is lost but the owner has passed away 30 years ago?

Short story is this car is my grandfathers car and I got it back in August 2014 and I am now at a point where it is mobile under its own power and I am wanting to get my ducks in a row for a title transfer so I can register it as an antique and drive it a little to slowly break it back in after sitting 30 years.

From what I have read so far in the state of Texas I need to get the execuitor of the will to sign the back of the orignal title and take in a copy of the will that shows him as exicuitor. Thing is though how do you get a title for a vehicle if the owner has passed on. I doubt I could personally apply for a lost title for a vehicle that is pushing 60 years old and has sat for the last 30 years when my name is not on the title not to mention I am no wheres near old enough to even attempt to play like I am the owner.

Does anyone here know what needs to be done besides having a 130-U form for the title transfer? Any ideas on how one goes about aquiring a title to a vehicle in this case so I can get the execuitor of the will to sign it?

I am starting to pull hair out now cause I am fearing that this might be more trouble than it is worth.

 

Seems to me the last thing that would work would be to ask here.

Go to the DMV or DPS or whoever licenses vehicles with all you papers in hand and see what they say.

 

That's the thing I have no papers, no title, no bill of sale, nothing. I was given the vehicle basically. I do have the original bill of sale from 1956 how ever with the vin number and the owners name on it but I don't know what would be needed.


I did some reading but I didn't want to make a trip to the DMV only to find out I need more than what I took. Like to do it in as few trips as possible as the DMV is horrible here, probably end up wasting half a day just to get to the window the first time.


Guess I will have to call the DMV up and get their name and see what they say. Guy that stopped at work said just take the will in and have the execuitor sign a piece of paper saying the car was given and the title can not be found. I just don't think that would work with how **** they are.


I figured I would ask here just as a last attempt before I deal with the DMV in person or on the phone. I read their website but it doesn't cover a lost title situation in this case.

 

The will and letter are a good start. Those and the original bos will go a long way.

 

not sure about Texas, but here in Jersey there are two ways. the executor of the estate can apply for a duplicate title which they will then sign over to you, or you can apply for an abandoned vehicle title.

 

I got in touch with the Texas DMV through their website as I cant sit on the phone all day at work. Boss wouldn't like that, but they asked me if there was a will and if it was probated. I just responded right now saying the vehicle was not listed in the will but there was a will assigning an execuitor and the vehicle was divided up with the rest of the estate.


I did look into the application for a lost title thinking I could just have it done and have a copy of the original title sent to me and go from there. Sorry the state wants a copy of your photo id or drivers license before they send out a replacement title.


I have to see what is they say now. In the mean time I will be looking for a local radio shop to recap my radio. Got the new vibrator in and installed it but once the tubes warm up the speaker starts humming its *** off. Did a little reading found out it a dried out Electrolytic capacitors are known for doing this. I could probably replace this my self but I rather take and let a radio shop just replace all the paper capacitors as well as the electrolytic capacitor that way I don't have to worry about having a problem down the road. Atleast I know there is nothing majorly wrong with the radio other than the loud humming.

 

there is also broadway title: Lost Car Titles, No Car Title at All?
they also go by get a new title: https://www.getnewtitle.com/about-us.html
they are in Maine. their service is expensive though, at $895.
and you will have to make sure Texas will accept one of their titles first.
i used broadway years ago when they were in Alabama to get titles for abandoned vehicles, or for ones where the owner died and the family could not find the title. but it was only $150 back then too.. then New Jersey started refusing to accept their titles.

 

Well the woman at the DMV that was helping me via email looked up the license plate number and it came back as currently registered to a 2008 Chevrolet. I knew that was a bust but she insisted on it.


She came back and told me my only other option is to go through the bonded title way. I can do that but the issues I have is under line 9 it asks who I purchased the vehicle from, when I purchased the vehicle and how much I purchased the vehicle for. Problem is though I did not purchase it and I doubt I can be honest and say I was given the car back in September 2014 as its been more than 30 days and they will hit me with a fee. I doubt they would listen to me saying that the motor was seized and I could not even run the car or move it under its own power till just recently.


Then theres another section below that asking if the vehicle is over 25 years old and if it is is it worth less than $4,000. I would prefer to check yes so they wouldn't charge me 6.25% tax on $4,000 or more. But the down side is will they try to screw with me cause I say less than $4,000 and Nada guide says low retail is $4,312 currently. They do use Nada to determine the value and they charge you 6.25% on the higher price between purchase price and value.


Next problem is they want proof of ownership, bill of sale, cancled check, or other document. I guess I could have my uncle write a note saying he gave the vehicle to me.


The final problem is the whole vehicle inspection, it says if there is no inspection report found one is required to obtain a bonded title. Ok but I am registering it as an antique and those do not get inspected so do I just ignore this or am I going to have to waste money by purchasing an inspection even though I don't need one.

 

have your uncle write a new bill of sale with yesterdays date on it saying he gave you the vehicle for free that it has a seized engine, needs total restoration, and is currently only worth the $300 it will bring over the scales as scrap metal.
as far as the inspection report goes, tell them it is not going to be registered with antique plates and is inspection exempt.

 

That's what I was thinking about doing. Then if they try to hit me with the tax on NADAs low retail I will point out that the low retail is for a vehicle that moves under its own power and that this vehicle has sat for 30 years and has a seized engine.


That way once I get the title and registration I will go ahead and start driving it then. If they say well you don't need to register it I will say no I want I registered as as an antique the registration is for 3 years not to mention I want to ensure I can use my plates I have as in a years time this plate number could be in use. Hell I don't think they will mind as they are still getting their money one way or another.


I will con some excuse to get them to get it ready for the road but believing it is in need of a engine and transmission along with brakes and a whole rewiring job.


This whole bs of charging 6.25% tax for the higher price between the price you paid and the value is pure bull**** cause basically that means if you are given something for free you don't waive the tax but you are forced to pay tax for the value and if the car is valued at $8,000 for instance then that's going to be $500 to pay roughly. Which I cant complain since I paid nothing for the car but I rather that money go to my uncle than go to the state to be misused.

 

tell them you do not want to register it at this time, you only want a title. if asked why, explain you do not want to put any money into a car you can not get a title for. once you have title in hand, you will start repairing it, and once it runs you will register it.
i have three vehicles title in my name, bit never registered for over 4 years now.