[WSBAPT] Death Certificate - Missing Body

[Lewis, Amy C.]

Jamia,

            It is possible to have a death certificate issued that indicates “presumed death.”  I had that in a case many years ago when my clients’ parents disappeared on a boat trip and wreckage of the boat was found, but no bodies.  I was not involved in the process of obtaining the death certificate.  My client worked with law enforcement and the coroner in the area where the wreckage of the boat washed up to have it issued.  It took quite a while as I recall.  There is also the absentee procedure under RCW 11.80.  In my case we started that process while waiting for the death certificate to be issued.


Amy Lewis, Attorney
Pronouns she/her/hers
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909 A Street, Suite 600 | Tacoma, WA 98402
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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Jamia Burns
Sent: Friday, July 9, 2021 12:40 PM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Death Certificate - Missing Body

Has anyone had to request a death certificate when the body is missing? It appears that my potential client's husband, who was very sick and in extreme pain, may have taken his life by walking into a lake and drowning himself (shoes and walking stick found beside the water). Search and Rescue have been unable to find the body after one week. Any guidance would be extremely appreciated.

Respectfully,

Jamia S. Burns
Attorney at Law
(360) 739-6379
Office: 1200 Dupont St., Suite 1-D
Bellingham, WA 98225 (By Appointment Only)
jamia at jamiaburnslaw.com<mailto:jamia at jamiaburnslaw.com>
www.jamiaburnslaw.com<http://www.jamiaburnslaw.com>

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