2023 Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 257 - Motor Vehicles
Act 300 of 1949 - Michigan Vehicle Code (257.1 - 257.923)
300-1949-II - Chapter II Administration, Registration, Certificate of Title and Anti-Theft (257.201...257.259)
300-1949-II-TRANSFERS-OF-TITLE-OR-INTEREST - Transfers of Title or Interest (257.233...257.242a)
Section 257.236 - Procuring Title to Vehicle Acquired by Operation of Law; Validity of Registration Upon Death of Owner; Application for Title by Surviving Spouse or Heir; Proof of Death; Certification; Petition.
Sec. 236.
(1) If ownership of a vehicle passes by operation of law, upon furnishing satisfactory proof of that ownership to the secretary of state, the person acquiring the vehicle may procure a title to the vehicle regardless of whether a certificate of title has ever been issued. Upon death of an owner of a registered vehicle, the license plate assigned to the vehicle, unless the vehicle is destroyed, is a valid registration until the end of the registration year or until the personal representative of the owner's estate transfers ownership of the vehicle.
(2) If an owner of 1 or more vehicles, which vehicles do not have a total value of more than $60,000.00, dies and the owner does not leave other property that requires issuance of letters as provided in section 3103 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.3103, the owner's surviving spouse, or an heir of the owner in the order specified in section 2103 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.2103, may apply for a title, after furnishing the secretary of state with proper proof of the death of the registered owner, attaching to the proof a certification setting forth the fact that the applicant is the surviving spouse or an heir. Upon proper petition, the secretary of state shall furnish the applicant with a certificate of title.
History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 90, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1961, Act 60, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 72, Eff. Mar. 28, 1963 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 110, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 544, Eff. July 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 398, Eff. Mar. 31, 1981 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 189, Imd. Eff. Aug. 24, 1989 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 181, Imd. Eff. July 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 64, Eff. Apr. 1, 2000
