Handling Car Leases After Death

When someone with an active car lease passes away, the lease doesn’t disappear.

It becomes part of their estate, and the executor is responsible for deciding what happens

next. That includes notifying the leasing company, reviewing the contract, and determining

whether the estate can continue payments, terminate the lease, or transfer it to someone else.

Family members aren’t personally responsible for the lease unless they co-signed. But the estate may

still face early termination fees, unless the leasing company agrees to waive them.

In some cases, a spouse or family member can take over the lease, but only if the

leasing company allows transfers and the new driver qualifies through a credit check.