has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

My FIL passed away very suddenly last week and he had a lease on a Subaru that my MIL doesn't want. We of course are willing to meet reasonable obligations on the lease, but I already get the feeling they are trying to bully us into paying as much as possible. Any suggestions on how to move forward? Thanks!

has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

Is her name on the lease as well ?

Re: has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

When my MIL passed away they just turned her leased car back into the dealer and the dealer sold it and used whatever money they got from the sale to pay off the rest of the lease.
If it had been short, her family would have had to pay the difference I believe.
But I am not sure how they would have worked it in that case.

has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

My mom passed away and you can get out of the lease.

Re: has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

Her name is not on the lease. Can I show up at the dealership with a death certificate?

Re: has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

Re: has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

Message edited 11/21/2013 7:22:04 PM.

has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

Dealership has nothing to do with the car...call the financing company as stated above

Re: has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

If her name is not on the lease you shouldnt have an issue. Call the finance company, tell them that the lessee passed away and you need to end the lease, what are the steps. In most cases people are helpful and we just had to send the death certificate as proof.

When My mom died we didnt have any issues cancelling anything, and its been 9 years, but I believe my dad's car was leased in my mom's name so my dad returned his car, and kept my mom's purchased one. I will have to double check this with my dad.

Message edited 11/21/2013 8:32:50 PM.

has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

When my mother died I called the Chevy finance company about her Malibu which was in almost new condition. I found out over time that it was less than forthcoming about all of the information. It failed to tell me until months had passed that she had a $1300 deposit that would be returned and left me with the impression that unless I got someone to take over the lease I would be hit with a large fee after the car was returned and auctioned off.

I tried Craigs List, the local paper and word of mouth, but no one wanted Mom's car as its payment was too high. After having to pay month's of extra payments, I ended up simply turning it in to the dealer after asking Chevy leasing if I could and being told yes. It was auctioned off about six weeks later.

My advice is to ask lots of questions as I think the employees are instructed not to divulge any more than necessary to answer questions, so that if you don't ask specifically about something, they won't tell you.

Message edited 11/22/2013 1:49:21 AM.

Re: has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

I would contact the financing company and see what they could do. Honestly, even if they come and repossess the car, if nobody else has a name on the lease what could they do about it? There is no credit to ruin, they will just sell the car on their own. Don't pay them any fees, the have no recourse to collect anything.

My aunt made this mistake by paying my grandmothers credit card bills when she passed away. My mom and her siblings told her to wait and see what the lawyer said before doing this but she didn't. It was then advised to not pay the cards, there is no way they can collect on them so she basically paid them for nothing.

Message edited 11/22/2013 3:57:51 AM.

has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

The financing company owns the car, not the dealership, so you have to contact them about tremination and return instructions. You will also have to turn in the plates to DMV, I am not sure what has to be done with the registration. Insurance company wil also need to be notified with proof of death and proof of return of the car.

I am sorry for your loss.

has anyone dealt with a car lease when the lessee passes away?

My Dad passed away and had about a year or so left on a lease. I don't remember the details, because my Mom handled most of it, but I remember going to the dealership and just dropping it off. I'm sure we had to bring a death certificate, but I don't remember there being much of a problem.