Do I Need a Vehicle Transfer on Death Designation in Hawaii?

Because Hawaii does not offer a vehicle TOD designation, the vehicle transfers through: Small-estate collection by affidavit (HRS 560:3-1201): a successor may collect a decedent's personal property on presenting a death certificate and an affidavit; a motor vehicle registered in the decedent's name may be transferred REGARDLESS of value, even where the small-estate $100,000 gross-value threshold otherwise applies., Joint tenancy (right of survivorship): a vehicle registered in the names of two or more persons is presumed to be owned in joint tenancy unless a written document states otherwise (HRS 286-49), so a surviving joint owner takes by survivorship outside probate., Formal/summary probate administration (HRS Chapter 560, Hawaii Uniform Probate Code, Part 12 — Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit and Summary Administration Procedure for Small Estates) where the estate exceeds the small-estate affidavit limits.. To keep other assets out of probate, SimplyTrust sets up a revocable trust online.

Without a vehicle TOD option, a Hawaii vehicle typically passes through the estate unless it is jointly titled or held in a trust, or qualifies for a small-estate transfer. Compare your options with the trust vs. will comparison.