Opinion ID: 1647946
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Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Owner of the Vehicle.

Text: Sanderson argues Joseph C. Kisner was the owner of the vehicle because he was the person named as owner on the vehicle certificate of title. An owner is defined as a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle. Iowa Code § 321.1(36). Relying upon section 321.45(2), Sanderson urges the court should not recognize title in any person who is not named as an owner in the certificate of title. We have recognized that ownership of a vehicle as shown on the certificate of title raises an inference of ownership, but it is at best a rebuttable presumption. Hartman v. Norman, 253 Iowa 694, 704, 112 N.W.2d 374, 380 (1962). The pertinent section of the owner's responsibility law is specifically outside the scope of the Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Act. Id. See Iowa Code § 321.45(2)(d). Iowa Code section 321.47 provides a procedure for transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle from a decedent to persons entitled to ownership under the laws of descent and distribution. However, there is no claim that such a transfer occurred. The evidence is undisputed that the certificate of title on the involved vehicle showed Joseph C. Kisner as owner. Therefore, Sanderson urges legal title was in Joseph C. Kisner at the time of the collision. The district court concluded legal title to the vehicle had automatically passed to Kisner's heirs-at-law upon his death on March 8, 1989. The court relied upon In re Estate of Bliven, 236 N.W.2d 366 (Iowa 1975), in reaching its conclusion. In Bliven, we recognized an heirs' interest in property acquired by intestate succession is assignable and transferable immediately on the decedent's death. In construing section 633.350, we held that upon the death of the decedent, the decedent's property, real and personal, automatically passed to and title immediately vested in the decedent's heirs-at-law, subject only to sale, administration and attendant costs provided by law. 236 N.W.2d at 370. Sanderson argues the immediate transfer of legal title of a vehicle to heirs upon death of the decedent should not apply because section 633.350 is qualified by its introductory language, [e]xcept as otherwise provided in this Code. Sanderson argues the motor vehicle certificate of title provisions of the Iowa Code are thereby excluded. We do not agree. Chapter 633 of the Iowa Code is known as the Iowa Probate Code. Iowa Code § 633.1. Throughout chapter 633, reference is made to the Iowa Probate Code as this Code. E.g. Iowa Code § 633.2(1) (this Code shall take effect ... (2) no act done in any proceeding commenced before this Code takes effect); Iowa Code § 633.3 (when used in this Code); Iowa Code § 633.4 (when used in this Code); Iowa Code § 633.34 (all actions in probate shall be governed by the rules of civil procedure, except as provided otherwise in this Code); Iowa Code § 633.38 (except as otherwise provided in this Code). Furthermore, section 633.350 uses the terms this Code in three separate places. Thus, it is clear the use of the words this Code in chapter 633 is intended to limit its reference to the Iowa Probate Code. Our statutory provisions relating to the title of decedent's property are similar to those of California. In Fountain v. Bank of America National Trust & Savings Association, 109 Cal.App.2d 90, 240 P.2d 414 (1952), the court was required to determine if title to a motor vehicle passed upon the death of the owner. Suit was brought against the bank as executor and also against it in its individual capacity following a motor vehicle collision. The collision occurred approximately three months after the testator's death and after the bank had been appointed executor. For the purposes of the ownership liability statute, the court held title to the vehicle passed upon death to the persons entitled thereto. Id. 109 Cal.App.2d at 94-97, 240 P.2d at 418-19. The executor was held not to be the owner of the vehicle under the ownership liability statute although it was undisputed that, at the time of the accident, title was in the name of the decedent. Id. Although the executor had rights of possession, its possession was not that of an owner. Id. We find the California court's reasoning to be persuasive. We agree with the district court that ownership and title to the Kisner vehicle passed to and vested in his heirs-at-law immediately upon his death on March 8, 1989. Because Joseph C. Kisner was not the motor vehicle owner on March 13, 1989, no liability can be imposed under the provisions of Iowa Code section 321.493. [1]