Montana Code Annotated
Part 2. Certificates of Title
61-3-222. Surviving spouse or heir -- small estates

61-3-222. Surviving spouse or heir -- small estates. (1) Subject to the requirements of Title 72, chapter 3, part 11, the surviving spouse or other heir may secure transfer of a decedent's ownership interests in one or more motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, pole trailers, campers, motorboats, personal watercraft, sailboats, or snowmobiles for which a certificate of title was issued under this chapter if:
(a) the value of the entire estate, including any vehicles, vessels, or snowmobiles for which transfer of ownership is sought, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the limit set forth in 72-3-1101;
(b) the decedent did not leave other property that requires the procuring of letters of administration or letters testamentary; and
(c) the decedent did not by execution of a will otherwise bequeath the property.
(2) The person seeking transfer of the decedent's interests under this section shall file an affidavit with the department setting forth the fact of survivorship, the name and address of any other heirs, and any other facts determined necessary to entitle the person to the transfer.
(3) If the department determines that the transfer is regular and that all legal requirements have been met, the department shall issue a certificate of title, subject to any security interests shown by the department's records, to the surviving spouse or other heir.
History: En. Sec. 11, Ch. 477, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 62, Ch. 542, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 22, Ch. 329, L. 2007.

Structure Montana Code Annotated

Montana Code Annotated

Title 61. Motor Vehicles

Chapter 3. Certificates of Title, Registration, and Taxation of Motor Vehicles

Part 2. Certificates of Title

61-3-201. Certificate of title required -- exclusions

61-3-202. Certificate of title -- issuance -- contents -- joint ownership

61-3-203. Fee for original certificate of title -- disposition

61-3-204. Replacement certificate of title -- application

61-3-205. Transfer of ownership of vehicles by insurance company

61-3-206. Odometer disclosure requirements on transfer of vehicle -- dealer to preserve record

61-3-207. Repealed

61-3-208. Affidavit and bond for certificate of title

61-3-209. Repealed

61-3-210. Definitions

61-3-211. Surrender of certificate of title -- issuance of salvage certificate -- salvage retitling requirements -- insurer or owner unable to supply title to auto auction dealer

61-3-212. Retitling salvage vehicles -- penalty

61-3-213. Certificate of title -- custom vehicle, street rod, kit vehicle, or specially constructed vehicle

61-3-214. Certificate of title -- custom-built motorcycle

61-3-215. reserved

61-3-216. Certificates of title -- application -- contents -- issuance

61-3-217. Certificate of title -- duties -- examination of application -- records check -- incomplete application

61-3-218. Certificate of title -- issuance -- delivery

61-3-219. Refusal to issue certificate of title

61-3-220. Certificate of title -- voluntary transfer -- duties

61-3-221. Involuntary transfer

61-3-222. Surviving spouse or heir -- small estates

61-3-223. Salvage vehicles

61-3-224. Temporary registration permit -- issuance -- placement -- fees

61-3-225. Motor vehicle wrecking facility quarterly reports

61-3-226. Certificate of title -- transfer on death