Doctor won't sign Death Certificate

[glo615]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ.

My dad died in California on June 30th this year...(I live in NJ). The primary doctor, or any other doctor, in the Hollywood Hospital where he died, still has not signed the death certificate after multiple request by the funeral director in LA. I cannot proceed on his life insurance policies, SSI checks (checks issued prior to his death), etc. without a death certificate.

I don't know how I can get this doctor to move on signing the death certificate. It is now six weeks after my dad has died. Is the doctor legally bound to sign this certificate and is there any action to push him along I should try before going to an attorney. Thank you.

Phil

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ.

My dad died in California on June 30th this year...(I live in NJ). The primary doctor, or any other doctor, in the Hollywood Hospital where he died, still has not signed the death certificate after multiple request by the funeral director in LA. I cannot proceed on his life insurance policies, SSI checks (checks issued prior to his death), etc. without a death certificate.

I don't know how I can get this doctor to move on signing the death certificate. It is now six weeks after my dad has died. Is the doctor legally bound to sign this certificate and is there any action to push him along I should try before going to an attorney. Thank you.

Phil

**A: tell him to sign it or another Dr. will be signing his.

 

[nextwife]

Was there an inquest? Is the cause of death under investigation?

 

[glo615]

There is no inquest, nor any investigation pertaining to my dad's death. My dad was in the hospital about a month before he died. He had surgery about 5 days prior to his death and died of an infection caused by his diabetes.

 

[Gracie3787]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ.

My dad died in California on June 30th this year...(I live in NJ). The primary doctor, or any other doctor, in the Hollywood Hospital where he died, still has not signed the death certificate after multiple request by the funeral director in LA. I cannot proceed on his life insurance policies, SSI checks (checks issued prior to his death), etc. without a death certificate.

I don't know how I can get this doctor to move on signing the death certificate. It is now six weeks after my dad has died. Is the doctor legally bound to sign this certificate and is there any action to push him along I should try before going to an attorney. Thank you.

Phil

This is something that might take a strongly worded letter from an attorney to fix. Do you have a probate attorney yet?
If you do, ask the attorney what can be done.