If a person dies owning a seat license for Pittsburgh Steelers football games, will someone need to open a probate estate to transfer the license?
Yes, according to a number of estate attorneys I have spoken with who have had this issue arise in their practices. According to the official Pittsburgh Steelers website:
“Transfer Resulting From Death Of A Seat License Holder – In addition to all other items required for processing a transfer request, the following requirements must be met: (1) a certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased license holder must be submitted; (2) the Transfer Form must be signed by the Executor or Administrator of the deceased license holder’s estate; and (3) the Executor or Administrator must submit official evidence of his/her capacity. In the case of an Executor, a recently-dated short certificate of Letters Testamentary must be submitted; or, in the case of an Administrator, Letters of Administration, bearing a raised seal.”
Can you avoid probate by owning the seat license jointly with someone else? The Steelers website says no:
“No Joint-Ownership Of Seat Licenses – There shall be no joint-ownership of any seat license. There may only be one license holder for a given seat at any given time.”
However, the seat license may be owned by a corporation or partnership and transferred by the signature of an “authorized official.” A person could also avoid probate by transferring ownership before death.
