Wis. Stat. § 342.17 — WI Code / Chapter 342 / Section 342.17
Involuntary transfers.
Status: in_force

(1) If the interest of an owner in a vehicle passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided in sub. (2) , promptly mail or deliver to the department the last certificate of title, if available, and the documents required by the department to legally effect such transfer, and an application for a new certificate in the form the department prescribes.

(2) If the interest of the owner is terminated or the vehicle is sold under a security agreement by a secured party named in the certificate of title, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the department the last certificate of title, an application for a new certificate in the form the department prescribes, and a statement made by or on behalf of the secured party that the vehicle was repossessed and that the interest of the owner was lawfully terminated or sold pursuant to the terms of the security agreement.

(3) A person holding a certificate of title whose interest in the vehicle has been extinguished or transferred other than by voluntary transfer shall mail or deliver the certificate to the department upon request of the department. The delivery of the certificate pursuant to the request of the department does not affect the rights of the person surrendering the certificate, and the action of the department in issuing a new certificate of title as provided herein is not conclusive upon the rights of an owner or secured party named in the old certificate.

(4)

(a) In all cases of the transfer of a vehicle owned by a decedent, except under par. (b) , ward, trustee or bankrupt, the department shall accept as sufficient evidence of the transfer of ownership the following:

1. Evidence satisfactory to the department of the appointment of a trustee in bankruptcy, of a certification of trust under s. 701.1013 or the appointment of a testamentary trustee, or of the issuance of domiciliary letters or other letters authorizing the administration of a decedent’s estate, guardianship, conservatorship, special administration, or trust;

2. The title executed by the personal representative, guardian, or trustee; and

3. The evidence concerning payment of sales or use taxes required by s. 77.61 (1) or evidence that the transfer is exempt from such taxes.

(b)

1. The department shall transfer the decedent’s interest in any vehicle to his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner under ch. 770 upon receipt of the title executed by the surviving spouse or domestic partner and a statement by the spouse or domestic partner which shall state:

a. The date of death of the decedent;

b. The approximate value and description of the vehicle; and

c. That the spouse or domestic partner is personally liable for the decedent’s debts and charges to the extent of the value of the vehicle, subject to s. 859.25 .

2. The transfer shall not affect any liens upon the vehicle.

3. Except as provided in subd. 4. , this paragraph is limited to no more than 5 vehicles titled in this state that are less than 20 years old at the time of the transfer under this paragraph. There is no limit on transfer under this paragraph of vehicles titled in this state that are 20 or more years old at the time of transfer under this paragraph.

4. The limit in subd. 3. does not apply if the surviving spouse or domestic partner is proceeding under s. 867.03 (1g) and the total value of the decedent’s property subject to administration in the state, including the vehicles transferred under this paragraph, does not exceed $50,000.

(c) Upon compliance with this subsection neither the secretary nor the department shall bear any liability or responsibility for the transfer of such vehicles in accordance with this section.

(d) This subsection does not apply to transfer of interest in a vehicle under s. 342.15 (1) (d) .

History: 1971 c. 164 s. 82 ; 1973 c. 40 , 243 ; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a) , (c); 1977 c. 273 ; 1985 a. 141 ; 1991 a. 125 , 239 ; 1995 a. 338 , 421 ; 1997 a. 27 ; 1999 a. 94 ; 2001 a. 102 ; 2005 a. 216 ; 2009 a. 28 ; 2023 a. 127 ; s. 35.17 correction in (4) (a) 1.