No will...no estate in florida

My father-in law died about a month ago. He left no will, no instructions, and hardly any Estate. He was divorced, leased his car, rented his apartment, and had no life insurance or other property that we could find in his personal papers. His bank account has a beneficiary which is his youngest son so the bank account is not part of his estate. I as the son-in-law cosigned with him on the car lease. I made him get credit life insurance on the lease as a condition of my co-signing. (thank God). The credit life ins. paid off the entire balance of the car instead of the term of the lease. Now the car title is free and clear except for the fact that it still is in his name. The bank released the title to me with the lien satisfied. The car's approximate value is $9000. I am unsure of what to do now. Do we create an estate? Do we have to? Who is obligated to? Can the car title be transferred to one of his lineal descendants? If he owes any money to the IRS or other creditors can they come after the car? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Well stated, and smart on the credit life.

If he owes money then his assets could be attached,like the value of the car, but my guess is that he does not or that no claim will be made, and if it is, well things could be worse.

To get title to the car so it can be sold and the money distributed to his heirs at law, there is a simplified procedure for small estaes and it can essentially be done by affidavit. Contact the clerk of the probate court.

------------------
This is intended as general information only and NOT LEGAL ADVICE. You are not my client, and I have no obligation of any kind to you. To retain a lawyer, go to http://AttorneyPages.com