Episode Description

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam sits down with Natalie Armenta, a probate and fiduciary vehicle specialist at Carstub, to break down one of probate's most overlooked challenges — what to do with a deceased person's car. From understanding AND vs. OR titles to navigating duplicate title paperwork, death certificates, and DMV fees, Natalie walks through the full process of getting a vehicle properly transferred or sold during a California probate case.

Natalie also covers practical strategies attorneys and fiduciaries need to know — like placing a vehicle on non-operational status to stop accumulating DMV fees, and how junking a car can actually wipe out fees that exceed the vehicle's value.

With nearly 25 years at Carstub, Natalie brings deep hands-on expertise to every step of the vehicle disposition process — making her an invaluable resource for any probate professional dealing with estate vehicles.

In this episode, you will hear:

• AND vs. OR vehicle titles and how each affects the sale process in probate
• Required paperwork for transferring or duplicating a vehicle title in California
• How death certificates factor into probate vehicle sales
• Placing a vehicle on non-operational (non-op) status to avoid accumulating DMV fees
• When junking a car is the smartest option, and how it eliminates outstanding DMV fees
• How Carstub handles the full vehicle disposition process, from towing to paperwork
• Tips for out-of-state or remote sellers dealing with probate vehicles in California

Resources from this Episode

carstub.com/fiduciary

The 6-Stage Probate Process - How to Navigate California Probate

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Let them know we sent you.

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