Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

My adult son is missing and we think he's dead. Now what?

My adult son left no suicide note, but all signs indicate he has probably killed himself. We have taken it upon ourselves to pay his mortgage and other bills for the moment. It has been 3 weeks since he disappeared. How do we get legal authority to handle his affairs, and what should we be doing? Yes, we have reported him missing, and have tried all the ways we can think of to find him.


Asked on 10/07/00, 12:47 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

John Hayes The John Hayes Law Offices

Re: My adult son is missing and we think he's dead. Now what?

You may want to contact the coroner's office in the county where your son lived. Request information on when the county can deam your son deceased and release a death certificate. You may also want to contact the local authorities and ask if they can give you some sort of legal document that states that your son is missing and presumed dead so you can have something in writing to present while waiting for a death certificate. I hope this points you in the right direction.

John Hayes, Esq.

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Answered on 11/04/00, 5:02 am
Ken Koury Kenneth P. Koury, Esq.

Re: My adult son is missing and we think he's dead. Now what?

As a temporary measure you could probably go to probate court and be named conservator of his assets to protect them.

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Answered on 11/04/00, 10:37 pm


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