Transfer a car title after a death in Nebraska

If the title is in the person's name alone and all the person's personal property, minus liens, is worth $100,000 or less, the successor can transfer a vehicle or motorboat without probate with the DMV's Affidavit for Transfer of Decedent's Vehicle/Motorboat.

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in Nebraska

If the title is in the person's name alone and all the person's personal property, minus liens, is worth $100,000 or less, the successor can transfer a vehicle or motorboat without probate with the DMV's Affidavit for Transfer of Decedent's Vehicle/Motorboat. At least 30 days must have passed, no personal representative may be appointed or applied for (or the estate must have been closed for more than ten years), the affidavit must be notarized, and the Nebraska title (if available) and a death certificate or abstract of death must be attached. Submit it to the county treasurer where the successor lives; the new title is issued in the successor's name. If the title shows joint ownership with right of survivorship ('OR' or 'WROS'), the survivor takes the vehicle with a death certificate.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. secs. 30-24,125(d), 60-164.01

Agency
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, through the county treasurer
Form
Affidavit for Transfer of Decedent's Vehicle/Motorboat (Rev. 09/2024)
Waiting period
30 days after the death
Fee

The county treasurer charges a $10.00 title fee; registration and other fees are separate.

Transfer-on-death title

A Nebraska title can name one or more transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiaries, including a trust. At the owner's death the beneficiary applies for a title with a death certificate or abstract of death and an Application for Certificate of Title, or signs the title over to a buyer.

Source: Official page

Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?

Kind of propertyHow it is treatedDetails
Cars and other vehicles
Counts

A car or motorboat titled in the person's name alone is personal property and counts at its value minus any loan. It is transferred at the county treasurer with the DMV's decedent affidavit, which uses the same $100,000 test.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. sec. 30-24,125(a)(1), (d)

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Counts

Boats, ATVs and other titled personal property count at their value minus liens.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. sec. 30-24,125(a)(1), (d)

Related pages

Free help in Nebraska

A court self-help center or a legal aid office can check whether the estate qualifies, free of charge or at low cost.