Transfer a car title after a death in Wisconsin
If the person was the only owner, a surviving spouse or domestic partner can transfer up to five vehicles with form MV2300 and a title application (MV1), and there is no title fee for a spouse, domestic partner or qualifying family member.
Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.
Car or vehicle title after a death in Wisconsin
If the person was the only owner, a surviving spouse or domestic partner can transfer up to five vehicles with form MV2300 and a title application (MV1), and there is no title fee for a spouse, domestic partner or qualifying family member. Another heir uses MV2300 to certify that the person had no solely owned property worth more than $50,000; the heir pays the title transfer fee. A spouse signing MV2300 becomes personally liable for the person's debts up to the value of the vehicles. Papers are mailed to the DMV.
Law: Wis. Stat. 342.14(3), 342.14(3m), 342.17(4)(b), 867.03 (as listed on form MV2300)
- Agency
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Fee
No title fee for a surviving spouse, domestic partner or qualifying family member. For other heirs, the DMV guide (BDS367, 6/2026) lists a $214.50 title transfer fee and a $20 replacement title fee if the title is lost.
Source: Official page
Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?
| Kind of property | How it is treated | Details |
|---|---|---|
Cars and other vehicles | Not clear | A surviving spouse or domestic partner can transfer up to five vehicles through the DMV with form MV2300. Ask the register in probate whether a vehicle's value is added to the $50,000 total. Law: WisDOT form MV2300; Wis. Stat. 342.17(4)(b) |
Boats and mobile or manufactured homes | Counts | Boats and other titled property in the person's name alone count at gross value. Law: Wis. Stat. 867.03 |
Related pages
Free help in Wisconsin
A court self-help center or a legal aid office can check whether the estate qualifies, free of charge or at low cost.
- Legal Action of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Judicare
- State Bar of Wisconsin: Lawyer Referral Service
- Wisconsin Court System: Self-help, Probate
- A Guide to Informal Estate Administration in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Register in Probate Association, rev. November 2025)
- Wisconsin State Law Library: Probate
- LawHelp.org
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC) - Find legal aid
- Eldercare Locator · 1-800-677-1116
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (debt collection and mortgage complaints) · (855) 411-2372