Transferring a Car in Mississippi Without Probate

Quick answer: if a beneficiary was registered on the title in advance, the transfer is automatic. Otherwise, use Form 78-014 without a will, or Form 78-006 with one, at the county tax collector's office.

Mississippi added vehicle TOD registration in 2022

Genuinely distinctive: in 2022, Mississippi began to allow transfer-on-death registration of vehicles — if a vehicle is registered this way, the named beneficiary automatically inherits it after death, with no probate court proceeding needed at all.

No TOD registration, no will

The heir completes Form 78-014, the affidavit for a decedent who died without a will, and takes it to the office of the county tax collector.

No TOD registration, but there's a will

The person named in the will instead completes Form 78-006, the title application, at the county tax collector's office — a different form from the one used for an intestate estate.

The vehicle counts toward the same $75,000 cap

A vehicle is personal property like any other asset under the small estate affidavit, so its value counts toward the same $75,000 threshold as bank accounts and other property in the estate.

Facing probate in Mississippi?

A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.

Talk to a Mississippi attorney

County tax collector's offices process these transfers the same way statewide, regardless of which county's Chancery Court would otherwise handle a formal estate.

Vehicle title transfer — frequently asked questions

Can a Mississippi vehicle owner name a beneficiary directly, like with a TOD deed?

Yes — since 2022, Mississippi has allowed transfer-on-death registration of vehicles, so a named beneficiary automatically inherits the vehicle after death with no probate court proceeding needed.

What if the owner died without a will and no TOD registration exists?

The heir completes Form 78-014, the Affidavit for a decedent who died without a will, and takes it to the county tax collector's office.

What if there's a will naming who gets the vehicle?

The person named in the will completes Form 78-006, the title application, at the county tax collector's office instead.

Does the vehicle count toward the $75,000 small estate cap?

Yes — a vehicle is personal property like any other asset, so its value counts toward the same $75,000 threshold as bank accounts and other property under the small estate affidavit.

How do I transfer a car after death in Mississippi without probate?

If a beneficiary was registered on the title in advance, the transfer is automatic. Otherwise, use Form 78-014 without a will, or Form 78-006 with one, at the county tax collector's office.

This page provides general guidance only and is not legal advice. Based on Mississippi county tax collector title transfer requirements, Forms 78-006, 78-014. Fees and requirements can change; confirm current figures with the county tax collector or a licensed Mississippi attorney before acting.