How to Sell a Deceased Person's Car in Florida
When a loved one passes away, their car is one more thing to handle. We come to you, explain the paperwork and make the sale simple.
Selling a Loved One's Car Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
After a death, the family may keep the car, give it to a relative or sell it. Selling takes a few extra steps because the registered owner can no longer sign the title, so someone with the legal authority has to sign in their place.
HoHo Buys Cars helps families, surviving spouses and personal representatives through that process. We come to the vehicle, make a clear written offer, walk you through the documents and pay on the spot once everything is in order.
Who Can Sell the Car?
It depends on how the car was titled and whether the estate is going through probate.
Whoever has the legal authority over the car signs as the seller. In Florida that is usually one of these people:
- A surviving co-owner who is listed on the title
- The personal representative appointed by the probate court, often called the executor
- A surviving spouse or the heirs, when Florida allows the car to pass without probate
- A guardian or other court-appointed representative
If you are not sure which applies to you, the estate’s attorney or your county tax collector’s office can confirm it before the sale.
Do I Need Probate to Sell the Car?
Not always.
If the estate is going through probate, the court appoints a personal representative and issues Letters of Administration. That document shows the representative can sell the car on behalf of the estate.
If there is no probate, Florida allows a surviving spouse or the heirs to transfer a vehicle in some cases by signing an affidavit with the title application. Whether that option fits depends on the estate, so confirm it with the tax collector’s office or the estate’s attorney.
If the car was titled to two people with or between their names, the surviving owner can usually sign on their own. If the names are joined by and, expect to provide a copy of the death certificate as well.
Documents to Gather
Having these ready keeps the sale quick.
- The original title. If it is lost, the tax collector's office can issue a duplicate.
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Letters of Administration, if the estate is in probate
- A photo ID for the person signing
- Loan or lien details, if the car still has a balance
- The keys, including any spare sets
Not sure you have everything? Call us and we will tell you exactly what is needed before we meet.
What If There Is Still a Loan on the Car?
We can pay off the lender as part of the sale.
If the car is financed, the lender has to be paid before the title can change hands. Let us know who holds the loan when you call. We can pay off the balance as part of the purchase and handle the paperwork with the lender. If our offer is higher than the payoff, the difference goes to the estate.
Why Families Choose HoHo for a Loved One's Car
One appointment, one offer, and the car is handled.
- We come to the home, a storage lot or the attorney's office
- No strangers coming to the house from online listings
- A clear written offer with no pressure to accept
- Help with the title and estate paperwork
- Payment on the spot once the paperwork is in order
How It Works
Selling the car takes three simple steps.
- Submit Your Vehicle Information
- Schedule Your Free Appraisal
- Receive Instant Cash Payment
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most.
Can a surviving spouse sell the car?
Often, yes. If the spouse is a co-owner on the title they can usually sign. If not, Florida may let the spouse transfer the car without probate in some cases. The tax collector's office or the estate's attorney can confirm what applies.
How long does the sale take?
The appraisal takes about 10 minutes. Once the right documents are in hand, we can complete the purchase and pay on the spot.
Can you buy the car if the family lives out of state?
Yes. We coordinate with a local family member, a neighbor or the attorney who has access to the car.
Can you buy the car if there is still a loan on it?
Yes. Tell us who holds the loan when you call. We can pay off the lender as part of the purchase and handle that paperwork, and if our offer is higher than the payoff, the difference goes to the seller.
What happens to the license plate after the sale?
In Florida the plate belongs to the owner, not the car. Remove it after the sale and either transfer it to another vehicle or turn it in at the county tax collector's office. Do that before you cancel the insurance, because canceling coverage on an active plate can lead to a suspension.
Does the appraisal cost anything?
No. The appraisal is free, it takes about 10 minutes, and there is no pressure to sell.
This page is general information about selling a vehicle in Florida, not legal advice. For questions about probate, guardianship or who has authority to sign, talk with the estate's attorney or your county tax collector's office.
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