Sec. 115.005. EFFECT OF BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION AT OWNER'S OR LAST SURVIVING OWNER'S DEATH. (a) On the death of the owner of a motor vehicle that is the subject of a beneficiary designation, the following rules apply to an interest in the motor vehicle:

(1) if the designated beneficiary survives the owner making the designation by 120 hours, the interest in the motor vehicle is transferred to the designated beneficiary; and

(2) if the designated beneficiary fails to survive the owner making the designation by 120 hours, the share of the designated beneficiary lapses, notwithstanding Section 111.052, and is subject to and passes in accordance with Subchapter D, Chapter 255, as if the beneficiary designation were a devise made in a will.

(b) If an owner is a joint owner with right of survivorship who is survived by one or more other joint owners, the motor vehicle that is the subject of the beneficiary designation belongs to the surviving joint owner or owners. If an owner is a joint owner with right of survivorship who is the last surviving joint owner, the beneficiary designation is effective.

(c) A designated beneficiary takes the motor vehicle subject to all encumbrances, assignments, contracts, liens, and other interests to which the vehicle is subject at the owner's or last surviving owner's death, as applicable. The transfer to the designated beneficiary does not affect the ability of a lienholder to pursue an existing means of debt collection permitted under the laws of this state.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 586 (S.B. 869), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.