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<section article="get" article_name="Estates and Trusts" number="5-608" title_number="5" title_name="Opening the Estate" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Small Estates">
  <level label="a">
    <text>If the only property owned by a decedent is not more than two motor vehicles and the decedent’s surviving spouse is the decedent’s only heir or legatee:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Administration of an estate of the decedent is not required; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Motor Vehicle Administration may transfer title to a motor vehicle  owned by the decedent to the surviving spouse if:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The surviving spouse certifies to the Motor Vehicle Administration that all debts and taxes owed by the decedent have been paid; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The Motor Vehicle Administration receives a copy of the decedent’s death certificate and suitable proof of the existence of the marriage.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>If the only property owned by a decedent is a boat or vessel with an appraised value that does not exceed $5,000 and the decedent’s surviving spouse is the decedent’s only heir or legatee:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Administration of an estate of the decedent is not required; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The agency that issued the certificate of title may transfer the certificate of title for the boat or vessel to the surviving spouse of the decedent if:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The surviving spouse certifies to the agency that all debts and taxes owed by the decedent have been paid;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The agency receives satisfactory evidence of the value of the boat or vessel, which may be provided by a statement signed by two individuals stating that:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>They have personal knowledge of the value of boats or vessels of the type that is in the estate; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>The value of the boat or vessel does not exceed $5,000; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The agency receives a copy of the decedent’s death certificate and suitable proof of the existence of the marriage.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
