All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
GuamBill No. 163-38 (COR)38th Guam Legislature (2025-2026)legislatureWALLET
AN ACT TO ADD A NEW §7146.1 OF CHAPTER 7, TITLE 16, GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO TRANSFER-ON-DEATH BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
Sponsored By: V. Anthony Ada (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Name a car beneficiary and skip probate
You can get a Guam car title that names a beneficiary. When the owner dies, the car goes to that person. It does not go through probate court. For joint owners, it transfers after the last owner dies. If no beneficiary survives, the car goes to the estate.
Beneficiaries take title subject to liens
If the car has a loan or lien, the beneficiary gets the title subject to that debt. They may need to keep payments or pay off the balance.
Change or cancel a TOD beneficiary
While you are alive, the beneficiary’s signature is not needed for any deal involving the car. You can revoke or change the beneficiary by selling the car with a proper title assignment. Or you can file with the Department to reissue the title with a new choice or no beneficiary.
Steps for beneficiaries to get title
To take ownership, the named beneficiary gives the Department the title and a sworn statement with the owner’s date and place of death. The Department may also ask for a death certificate. The Department can rely on official death records to process the transfer.
Rules for co-owners and wills
If several people own the car, each owner must sign one TOD form naming the same beneficiary. The TOD works only after each owner dies without changing it. You cannot get a TOD title if you own as tenants in common. A will or other papers cannot revoke the TOD designation.
TOD title fees, wording, and help
You must use the Department’s form and pay the regular title fee to get a TOD title. The title must show “transfer on death” or “TOD” and the beneficiary’s name. The law defines key terms used in these rules. Within 90 days after enactment, the Department posts plain guides online, prints them at motor vehicle offices, and gives them to applicants.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
V. Anthony Ada
Republican • legislature
Cosponsors
Christopher M. Dueñas
Republican • legislature
Frank F. Blas Jr.
Republican • legislature
Jesse A. Lujan
Republican • legislature
Joe S. San Agustin
Democrat • legislature
Sabrina Salas Matanane
Republican • legislature
Shelly V. Calvo
Republican • legislature
Tina Rose Muña-Barnes
Democrat • legislature
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 12/5/2025
Floor Vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Referred to committee
6/26/2025legislatureIntroduced as Bill No. 163-38 (COR)
6/26/2025legislatureEnacted into law
GovernorTransmitted to Governor
legislatureCommittee report filed
legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
6/26/2025
Committee Report
Enrolled (Public Law)
Transmittal
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