Death of citizen abroad

[Smessy]

What is the name of your state? Arizona

My dad died in Mexico. No will. On the Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad form, there is a section titled "Person or official responsible for custody of effects and accounting therefore" and my grandmother is listed. Does this mean any (unclaimed) property in his name would go to her? Or would it go to next of kin (my siblings and myself)?

 

[Zigner]

I'm sorry for your loss.

That sounds more like it would be how you notify the government about who would be the legal representative of your dad's estate.

 

[Smessy]

Thank you. It was 13 years ago. My sister recently found "unclaimed property" with the DOR. Would we be the legal heirs, or would it go to my grandma, according to this record of death?

 

[Zigner]

Thank you. It was 13 years ago. My sister recently found "unclaimed property" with the DOR. Would we be the legal heirs, or would it go to my grandma, according to this record of death?

Probate may need to be reopened for this.

 

[Smessy]

Does that mean I should contact a probate lawyer? I was a kid when he died and I don't know how the rest of his estate was handled.

 

[Zigner]

Does that mean I should contact a probate lawyer? I was a kid when he died and I don't know how the rest of his estate was handled.

If the value of this property is enough, then yes, you would be wise to speak to an attorney.

 

[Smessy]

Hmmm. I'm unsure of the value, all we know is there is unclaimed property for him.

 

[Zigner]

Hmmm. I'm unsure of the value, all we know is there is unclaimed property for him.

I have unclaimed property at my state - I believe it's 43¢. Yes, figure out the value and the nature of the property before you go any further.

 

[Smessy]

Thank you for your help. We're really unsure how to proceed. Would the DOR give us that information? We only learned out the property from missingmoney.com, so we don't have a lot to go on.

 

[Zigner]

Thank you for your help. We're really unsure how to proceed. Would the DOR give us that information? We only learned out the property from missingmoney.com, so we don't have a lot to go on.

The DOR and/or missingmoney.com should be able to tell you the nature of the property. Please remember that "property" doesn't necessarily mean a house, building, real-estate, etc. It could simply be a $10 payout from some class-action lawsuit, or even money that was sitting in a savings account somewhere, no matter what the amount.