Are adult children legally responsible for the costs of obtaining death certificates etc. when there is no Will or directive?
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Are adult children legally responsible for the costs of obtaining death certificates etc. when there is no Will or directive?
I have been estranged from my mother for over 20 years. I was only notified of her death 2 1/2 weeks afterwards and then only because afuneral home needed my consent for cremation. Since many years ago, we had set up a Neptune Society membership for her, I have been in contact with them, and they are now handling the cremation. The funeral parlor, however, is asking me to pay for their costs for obtaining death certificates and I don’t know what else. Am I legally responsible for these costs? They have not sent me a legal copy of her death certificate. Do I need one?
Asked on January 24, 2012 under Estate Planning, Florida
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You really do not need a certified copy of your late mother's death certificate, but the Neptune Society does to cremate her. I would think that if an account was set up years ago for your mother with the Neptune Society that the payment on account would have covered the certified copy of your late mother's death certificate.
Techinically your mother's estate is responsible for the cost of the needed certified copy of the death certificate and other costs associated with a burial or cremation. However, if there are no assets in the estate to reimburse one for the costs of the death certificate, a friend or family member typically pays for the cost as well as other expenses associated with a burial or cremation. My experience is that the cost of a certified copy of a death certificate should not be much more than $10.00.
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