UT
My sister & I have been estranged from our parents for 10+ years due to a EXTREMELY abusive history. We received a letter from the State of CA (where our estranged biological mother lived) advising us that she has deceased, and her remains are in the coroners office. Our biological father in is a catatonic state after stroke, in state health care facility. The letter advised us that my sister and I we were "next of kin" and that we are responsible for the cost of disposal of my mothers remains (respond within 7 days) or I am subject to a being charged with a misdemeanor under section 7100 of CA health code, and up to triple the expense of disposal of here remains. Needless to say after a decade + of being estranged this is a shock. Neither my sister or I want anything to do with her or the disposal of her remains, or estate. To make it clear, we are not interested in photo's or anything that may be left behind. They would only serve as a reminder of a VERY abusive childhood. Apparently the childhood of abuse was not enough, and now this abusive biological parent reaches from the grave? Are my sister and I truly responsible for the cost of having her remains disposed of? If so, can I be charged with a crime is I refuse to have any part of it?
My sister & I have been estranged from our parents for 10+ years due to a EXTREMELY abusive history. We received a letter from the State of CA (where our estranged biological mother lived) advising us that she has deceased, and her remains are in the coroners office. Our biological father in is a catatonic state after stroke, in state health care facility. The letter advised us that my sister and I we were "next of kin" and that we are responsible for the cost of disposal of my mothers remains (respond within 7 days) or I am subject to a being charged with a misdemeanor under section 7100 of CA health code, and up to triple the expense of disposal of here remains. Needless to say after a decade + of being estranged this is a shock. Neither my sister or I want anything to do with her or the disposal of her remains, or estate. To make it clear, we are not interested in photo's or anything that may be left behind. They would only serve as a reminder of a VERY abusive childhood. Apparently the childhood of abuse was not enough, and now this abusive biological parent reaches from the grave? Are my sister and I truly responsible for the cost of having her remains disposed of? If so, can I be charged with a crime is I refuse to have any part of it?