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querying the hive mind
Death from afar
What kind of professional can help us with a family member's death from far away?
A distant family member died this week, alone, in Dunedin, Florida. I had not spoken to this family member in over 40 years. We weren't estranged, just not in contact. Myself and another family member were listed as emergency contacts with his doctor, and that's how the cops showed up 3000 miles away to let us know. I believe we're his only relatives, but are not considered executors because there's no will (we think). I expect his death was discovered as a result of a wellness check. We arranged for cremation and will bury the cremains with other relatives, but we don't know what to do about all his stuff and any legal paperwork.
We do know that he lived in a manufactured home community that was public housing. He did not have friends and didn't go out much, according to the person at the front desk. He did have a dog which was taken to a local shelter. The local cops have his wallet and a checkbook which they say will get to us eventually once processed. I don't expect that he had a will or any significant assets but we would like to do the right thing. From his Facebook page he seemed very close to his dog so maybe he wanted any money to go to an animal charity or something?
Should I hire a lawyer to go to his rental and search for any important papers or documents? Would a probate lawyer actually do that? Are there additional benefits to having a lawyer in this situation or could we hire a PI or some other professional? We could cobble together some money to throw at this, if needed.
I've reviewed other posts and rest assured we'll order multiple copies of the death certificate. Thank you all!
posted by kinsey on Nov 14, 2024 at 2:32 PM
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I can't give advice about the legalities or the possessions, but have you checked with the shelter regarding the dog's status? If possible, you might contact a local rescue organization that deals with pets of elderly people and see if they can claim it. But if the shelter thinks it's an adoptable pet, that might be the best route to go.
posted by drossdragon at 2:50 PM
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A few years ago, a local podcast run by a friend of mine had an interview with a "Fiduciary", and this sounded like pretty much exactly what they exist to do. Mostly they're expecting to be pulled in earlier, but from the way he described the work they're both legally bound to work in the interests of the client, and cheaper than a full-on lawyer.
It's hard to pull search results for professionals in that activity from investment advisors who have a fiduciary duty to their client, but it's possible, and looks like Florida has similar rules and roles on this to California (which is where the interviewee I heard is).
posted by straw at 2:52 PM
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In FL, to dispose of any of his assets, someone will need to be appointed personal representative for his estate (FL has personal representatives instead of executors generally, but the term also can refer to whoever's handling the distribution of the assets of a person who died intestate, as well). If he was basically destitute, this may not matter much, but if there are even a few thousand dollars sitting in a bank account, only the personal representative will be able to get at them. Near the end of the pamphlet I linked are descriptions of abbreviated procedures that may be appropriate in your relative's case.
As for going through his stuff, note that it is almost certainly cheaper for you to make a quick trip to Florida than to hire a lawyer or PI or fiduciary.
If I died alone with a beloved dog, the kindest thing you could do for me (and for the dog!) post-mortem is try to make sure the dog got adopted into a good home. And that's what I'd devote a small estate to.
posted by praemunire at 4:48 PM
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How much money do you think they had? It is possible that the cost of sorting everything out is greater than the net value of the estate after any debts are paid (the estate can also be insolvent). In most jurisdictions you can decline to be the personal representative and I would certainly consider it unless you are confident there will be any money left after lawyers fees. It's enough work that there really needs to be a benefit to somebody particularly as you are at a distance.
posted by plonkee at 7:53 AM
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