Short Answer — Key Steps to Take

As the person handling the estate, you should: 1) get written documentation from the lender or repossession agent; 2) include the repossessed vehicle and any related claims or deficiency balances on the estate inventory; 3) confirm title and lien status with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA); and 4) treat any creditor claim from the secured lender under Maryland probate rules. Keep records of all communications and paperwork, and contact a probate attorney when questions or disputes arise.

Detailed Answer — Complete Steps and Legal Context

1. Confirm what happened and obtain documentary proof

Request these documents from the lender or repossession company:

• A written repossession report or receipt showing the date, location, and vehicle identifier (VIN).
• A payoff statement showing the amount owed at repossession, fees, and whether the lender sold the vehicle or is holding it.
• Notice letters the lender sent to the consumer (pre-repossession default notices, notice of intended sale, or post-sale accounting).
• Any sale receipts, bills of sale, or auction reports if the lender sold the vehicle after repossession.

These papers are the core evidence you will attach to the estate inventory and to any creditor or court filings.

2. Show the repossessed vehicle on the estate inventory

The personal representative must prepare a full inventory of the decedent’s assets. Even though the physical vehicle is gone, the estate must account for the vehicle and any outstanding secured debt and potential deficiency. Include:

• An entry for the vehicle with VIN, make/model, and status: “repossessed by [lender] on [date].”
• The lender’s payoff balance at the date of repossession and any fees charged for repossession and sale.
• If the lender sold the car, list sale proceeds and identify whether those proceeds were applied to the loan balance (include sale documentation).
• If a deficiency remains (loan balance minus sale proceeds), list the deficiency as a creditor claim or contingent claim until resolved.

Follow Maryland probate procedures for inventories and accounting. The Maryland Courts provide guidance on estate administration and inventories at https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/probate.

3. Understand the secured lender’s rights under the UCC and what that means for the estate

Repossession and sale of collateral are governed by the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Article 9 in Maryland. A secured party must follow lawful procedures when disposing of collateral and provide a proper accounting. See Maryland Commercial Law (UCC) on disposition: Md. Code, Comm. Law 9-609.

If you suspect the lender failed to follow the UCC sale rules (for example, no notice of sale or sale price was commercially unreasonable), the estate may have grounds to dispute the lender’s accounting or seek damages.

4. Title, transfer, and MVA steps

Check with the Maryland MVA to determine current title status. If the lender holds the title after repossession, request documentation showing whether the lender has transferred title following a sale or retained it. MVA information on titles and registration is at https://mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/Pages/title-registration.aspx.

5. Handle creditor claims and probate timing

Creditors, including secured lenders, must present claims against the estate to be paid in the order set by Maryland probate law. As personal representative, publish or send notices as required and evaluate claims against estate assets. If the lender already collected proceeds from selling the vehicle, the claim may be reduced or satisfied. For general probate procedures and creditor claims, use Maryland Courts resources: https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/probate.

6. If you find problems — next steps

If documentation is incomplete, the lender’s accounting seems wrong, or you suspect an unlawful repossession or sale, preserve all evidence. Consider these options:

• Demand a written accounting and copies of all sale documentation from the lender.
• Raise objections in probate court to a creditor claim if the amount or legality is in dispute.
• Consult an attorney experienced in Maryland probate and consumer/secured-transaction law.

Practical Documentation Checklist

Collect and keep these items in the estate file:

• Repossession report or receipt (with VIN, date, place).
• Payoff statement and itemized fees charged by the lender.
• Notice of sale and sale receipt or auction results if the vehicle was sold.
• Copies of all correspondence between you (or the decedent) and the lender.
• Title records or MVA printouts showing lien or title changes.
• Estate inventory entry documenting the vehicle and any claimed deficiency.

Helpful Hints

• Act quickly to get documentation. Lenders and auction houses sometimes move assets and records rapidly.
• Keep original documents when you can, and make certified copies for the probate file and for creditors.
• Document phone calls: note date, time, names, and what was said. Follow up with written requests by email or certified mail.
• Don’t assume repossession ends the matter. A sale can create a deficiency claim against the estate if sale proceeds did not cover the loan.
• If the vehicle was the decedent’s property but was collateral on a consumer loan, review both the loan contract and the UCC sale notice for compliance.
• Contact the MVA for title and registration questions early in administration to avoid surprises when distributing assets.
• When in doubt, consult a Maryland probate attorney to avoid personal liability and to ensure you meet court deadlines and notice requirements.