questions & answers

Question: Hello, my wife past away most recently In 2004 she had a conviction and owes the .state $2000.After we married in 2010 i purchased a vehicle and put both our names on the title. When I tried to sell the vehicle, MVD told me I can't sell it because the court put a lean on it and I have to pay them off first. I didn't know my wife in 2004.Do I have to pay them even though she passed away and it was prior to our marriage? Thank you for your help. Best regards, Peter Heid

Answer: In Arizona, the Motor Vehicle Department records will reflect liens placed by Banks and Lenders of car loans, not driver misconduct. The lien will be removed by the MVD when new title forms are filled out including proof that the lien has been released by the Lender after the loan has been paid off. In order to sell/transfer title to a vehicle when title is held jointly and one owner dies, the MVD offers a form “Non-Probate Affidavit” to remove a decedent’s name from a vehicle title and obtain a marketable title in the remaining owner’s name alone.