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

Because Louisiana does not offer a vehicle TOD designation, the vehicle transfers through: Affidavit of Heirship (OMV form DPSMV 1696), sworn before a notary by the surviving spouse and all heirs/legatees, to obtain title to a vehicle titled in a deceased owner's name. R.S. 32:707.1 requires proof of death, a copy of the will (or a notarized statement summarizing its disposition of vehicles) if the owner died testate, the title and registration if available, and an affidavit from each other person with an ownership interest transferring that interest to the applicant., Small succession affidavit (La. C.C.P. arts. 3431, 3432, 3432.1): the succession of a Louisiana domiciliary who died intestate — or testate leaving no immovable property in Louisiana, where the surviving spouse and everyone who would inherit agrees to waive probate of the testament — need not be opened judicially if it qualifies as a small succession, and the heirs/legatees may take possession of the movables (including a vehicle) by sworn affidavit., Small-succession threshold: gross value of $200,000 or less valued as of the date of death for a person who died domiciled in Louisiana (raised from $125,000 by Acts 2026, No. 293, effective August 1, 2026). The ancillary succession of a person domiciled outside Louisiana qualifies at $125,000 or less of Louisiana property, and a death occurring at least 20 years before the affidavit is executed qualifies at any value., Full succession (judgment of possession): where the estate does not qualify as a small succession or a judicial succession is opened, the vehicle is titled to whoever the judgment of possession places in possession of it.. To keep other assets out of probate, SimplyTrust sets up a revocable trust online.

Without a vehicle TOD option, a Louisiana 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.