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Quick overview. When you are administering a Maine estate, you must list and document every asset of the decedent, including motor vehicles. Proving the value of a vehicle for probate means preparing reliable, verifiable evidence of its fair market value at the date of death so the probate court and interested parties can accept the inventory and, if necessary, resolve creditor or beneficiary questions.

Who must prove vehicle value?

The personal representative (executor or administrator) is responsible for identifying estate assets, determining their values, and filing an inventory or account with the probate court or following the court’s instructions for estate administration. For basic Maine estate guidance, see the Maine Judicial Branch estate administration pages: https://www.courts.maine.gov/for-the-public/estate-administration/index.html

How to prove a vehicle’s value — step by step

1. Gather key documentation
   • Title, registration, and the vehicle’s VIN.
   • Odometer reading at date of death (photograph the odometer or record it in writing).
   • Maintenance records, recent repair invoices, or recent receipts that affect value.
   • Photos of the vehicle (exterior, interior, dash, damage areas).
   • Any recent sale offers, ads, or listings showing the vehicle’s asking price.
2. Get market-value references

   Use reputable pricing tools to establish a market value range at the date of death. Common sources include Kelley Blue Book (KBB), NADA Guides, and Edmunds. Print or save the valuation page showing the date and the VIN or entered mileage—this establishes the valuation method and supports the figure you report.

3. Obtain at least one written appraisal or dealer quote for higher-value or disputed vehicles

   If the vehicle is high-value, customized, damaged, or if beneficiaries contest the price, hire a licensed automotive appraiser or ask two independent dealers to provide written, dated purchase offers or appraisals. A signed appraisal with credentials strengthens your proof.

4. Note condition and title status

   Value depends on condition, salvage title, flood damage, and mechanical or structural problems. Document any damage and note if the title is branded or has liens—lien payoff affects net value available to the estate.

5. Prepare an entry for the estate inventory

   When you file an inventory or accounting with the probate court, list each vehicle with: make/model/year, VIN, mileage, condition notes, and the chosen value with the source (e.g., “Fair market value $6,200 based on KBB retail value printed 03/01/2025; dealer appraisal dated 03/05/2025”). Keep copies of all supporting documents in the estate file.

6. File required paperwork with Maine courts and the BMV

   Provide the probate court with the inventory or accounting when required. For transfer or sale, contact the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles for the exact documents required to transfer title after death—often a death certificate plus letters testamentary or letters of administration, or a small‑estate affidavit where applicable. See Maine BMV: https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/ and Maine Judicial Branch estate pages: https://www.courts.maine.gov/for-the-public/estate-administration/index.html

7. Resolve disputes

   If beneficiaries or creditors disagree with the reported value, the personal representative should obtain an independent appraisal or ask the court to appoint one. In contested cases, the court may order further proof or a hearing.

Example (hypothetical)

Hypothetical facts: A decedent in Maine left two cars — a 2014 Toyota Camry with 96,000 miles (good condition) and a 2006 pickup truck with mechanical problems and a salvage title. For the Camry, the personal representative printed a KBB private-sale range for the VIN and mileage, obtained a dealer offer for $7,000, photographed the car, and filed the inventory listing “Camry — fair market value $7,000 (KBB and dealer offer attached).” For the pickup, the representative obtained a salvage appraisal, attached repair estimates, and listed the lower salvage value with supporting documentation. The court accepted both values because the representative provided clear supporting sources.

Practical evidence that courts accept in Maine

• Printed valuations from industry sources with VIN/mileage and date.
• Signed, written appraisals from a certified automotive appraiser.
• Written offers from licensed dealers (dated and signed).
• Detailed photos and repair estimates for damaged vehicles.
• Evidence of title status and lien payoff amounts from Maine BMV or creditor statements.

When a simplified procedure may work

If the estate is a small estate or the beneficiaries agree on values, you may use an affidavit or simplified transfer procedure to pass vehicles without a full probate inventory, but you still should document fair market value in writing. Check the Maine Judicial Branch guidance or ask the probate clerk whether your situation qualifies for a simplified transfer: https://www.courts.maine.gov/for-the-public/estate-administration/index.html

Helpful Hints

• Start documentation immediately. Capture odometer photos and vehicle photos as soon as you can—condition can change quickly.
• Use two independent valuation sources for credibility (e.g., one online guide + one dealer/appraiser).
• Keep a dated file with every piece of evidence (screenshots, printouts, appraisals, emails, photos).
• If vehicle value affects creditor claims or estate tax matters, get a professional appraisal to avoid later disputes.
• Contact the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles early to learn what documentation they need to transfer title after death: https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/
• If beneficiaries disagree, consider mediation or ask the probate court for instructions before spending estate funds on repairs or sale.
• Keep beneficiaries informed. Sharing valuation sources and copies of appraisals often prevents disagreement.