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

Because Tennessee does not offer a vehicle TOD designation, the vehicle transfers through: Will / probate transfer: if the deceased left a will naming an executor (or an administrator was court-appointed), that person signs the existing certificate of title, and the title transfer is filed through the local county clerk with the probated will or certified letters testamentary and a copy of the death certificate., Affidavit of Inheritance (Tenn. Dept. of Revenue form RV-F1310501): if the owner died intestate (no will) with no surviving spouse, all heirs/next of kin complete this affidavit to mutually relinquish ownership of the vehicle to one party, then submit it with a copy of the death certificate to the local county clerk to retitle the vehicle without administration., Surviving-spouse retitle: a surviving spouse may apply through the local county clerk to retitle the vehicle into the spouse's name (Tenn. Dept. of Revenue guidance GI-3)., Joint ownership with survivorship: holding the title in two or more names (e.g., joined by "or") so the survivor may transfer without all owners' signatures under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-3-118.. To keep other assets out of probate, SimplyTrust sets up a revocable trust online.

Without a vehicle TOD option, a Tennessee 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.