Did she even have a will? because if she didn't, her next of kin would be expected to get whatever belongings or property she has.
Who is considered the legal next-of-kin?
Absent a legal document designating a person or persons to make decisions after their death, the legal next-of-kin is defined by law as the person responsible for making decisions regarding what will happen to the decedent after their death. The law states that the legal next-of-kin is based solely upon a persons relationship to the decedent prior to their death. The first legal next-of-kin would be the spouse, (husband or wife), followed by any adult children, the decedent s parent(s), and finally the decedents siblings, (brothers or sisters).
How do I reclaim property obtained by the Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office?
The Medical Examiner-Coroner may be in possession of personal property belonging to a decedent. The legal next-of-kin may authorize the Medical Examiner-Coroners Office to release the property to a funeral home or mortuary, or they may obtain the property (or authorize another person to obtain the property) directly from the Medical Examiner-Coroners Office. In order for a funeral home/mortuary to obtain personal property at the time they pick up the decedent, the legal next-of-kin must complete and sign a Properly Release Form which may be obtained through the Forms tab on the Coroners Office website. The Medical Examiner-Coroners Office will release property directly to the legal next-of-kin or any person (with valid photo ID) furnishing written authorization signed by the legal next-of-kin.
