Dying intestate - obligations of next of kin?

Moose1960

TonyMMM wrote: »

No it isn't - that would only be the case if there was an inquest, in which case the coroner does become the informant who registers the death.

I stand corrected.

Moose1960

nom_de_plume wrote: »

Don't think the question has been asked or answered before. Did the deceased have any children / grandchildren?

No, hence his sister being next of kin.

securityguy

Margot123 wrote: »

The problem is with doing anything involving the deceased's property, you will then be liable as you will have intermeddled.

No you haven't. I go away for a few months, and return to the same misconception. Intermeddling requires you to be doing things that executors do. That doesn't include "anything involving the deceased's property". You are right to say that you might get hassled by creditors. But intermeddling is a much more concrete thing to have done, and gives you the legal obligations (not just "the chance of getting some letters you can safely ignore") of an executor. That's not cancelling the milk and redirecting the post, that's doing things like selling shares, renting out houses or otherwise making large, identifiable decisions which materially affect (or have the potential to materially affect) the value of the estate.

Moose1960

I've not posted for a few days due to things going quiet but they are expected to kick off again with a call from the coroner tomorrow, previously suggested as the date that the autopsy results will be known.

In the few calls that Mum received in the early days she became confused, didn't take notes and can't remember who she was speaking to or who said what. I've asked parents to let the phone "ring out" and go to answerphone then pass the message on to me, and will then go round to theirs and make the appropriate calls - to the coroner's office, the residential home and other involved parties to emphasise that my mother will have no involvement here. That's assuming that the various parties will accept such instruction from me - possibly they will need her authority to deal with me on her behalf.

Is it really that simple though? In the absence of appointed executors/personal representatives are those involved (the coroner, the home) likely to continue to harass the next of kin to get the matter off their hands?

Further, one of the callers (Mum can't remember who) suggested that if we wanted to visit to examine his personal effects, find a will (unlikely) etc then Mum would need power of attorney. I can understand the requirement for proof of executorship or letters of administration, but power of attorney for a dead person?

Savvy_Sue

Moose1960 wrote: »

Further, one of the callers (Mum can't remember who) suggested that if we wanted to visit to examine his personal effects, find a will (unlikely) etc then Mum would need power of attorney. I can understand the requirement for proof of executorship or letters of administration, but power of attorney for a dead person?

You're right, PofA ceases on death, but I would expect them to require some proof that Mum is who she says she is, and has some valid reason to go poking through his effects ...

But it's another reason to say "nope, no can / will do."