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<p class="MsoNormal">The right to control disposition of remains is under <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=68.50.160">
RCW 68.50.160</a>. The key is subsection (5), which gives the funeral home or the ME authority to act on instructions of “the most responsible party available” if there are no ascertainable relatives available named under subsection (3). But in my experience
some MEs and funeral homes are reluctant to rely on (5).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ordinarily the PR is not part of the decision regarding disposition, unless that authority is stated in a Will. For intestacy, I haven’t done this myself yet, but you might consider including in the petition for appointment a recital that
none of the persons under RCW 68.50.160(3) have been located, and accordingly the PR requests that the Court expressly authorize them to make disposition of the remains if the ME has not found a relative. That might reassure the ME sufficient to allow the
PR to act.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Re death cert, you don’t absolutely need one. I don’t file them myself. When the court has demanded more proof (beyond the verified petition itself, which is evidence under oath, alleging death of the decedent), I have included statements
confirming that, for example, a death notice or obituary was published in such-and-such paper and online at [website address]; or I have personally contacted funeral home X and they verified they have custody of the remains.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b>All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please
direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Sharon Rutberg<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, June 4, 2021 9:34 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] passing of a friend with no family ties<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hello, friends –<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Client’s good friend died and was estranged from his family. His body was claimed by the Seattle area medical examiner, which said it would try to locate a family member to authorize cremation. (They may have found one, but the information
coming from their office is unclear.) Couple of questions – <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Does anyone have experience with claiming remains from the Seattle ME if no family member steps forward?
<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="2" type="1">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Client may want to petition to be executor of his estate if no family member steps forward, but I think she needs a death certificate to do that, yes? But it appears she can’t get
a death certificate unless she is already his legal representative. Is there a way to seek a court order for purposes of getting a death certificate? Or any way to get appointed executor without a death certificate?<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Much appreciated - <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sharon <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">Sharon C. Rutberg, Attorney at Law</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">Salmon Bay Law Group, PLLC</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">1734 NW Market St.</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">Seattle, WA 98107</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">206-735-3177, ext. 2</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:sharon@salmonbaylaw.com"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">sharon@salmonbaylaw.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">
</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">Website:
<a href="http://www.salmonbaylaw.com/">www.salmonbaylaw.com</a></span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">Washington State Bar #47055<br>
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