State of California.....
My parents are both divorced. When my Father passed away, he did not leave a will. But his sister and his mother (my aunt & grandmother) made me go to a notary to waive all of my rights towards his remains (he was cremated). I had to give his estranged family all of my rights to his ashes. I was very young at the time and felt coerced. The only witnesses were myself, my aunt, grandmother, and the notary. I believe my mother lost all of her rights when they divorced; however my brother and sister (both minors at the time) did not waive any of their rights. My mother was their guardian.... so if my brother/sister technically had rights over his remains as well, then I'm not sure if her permission was required. Since I was the only one who signed a notarized letter, is it valid? And since my siblings did not sign anything, does my family have a solid case in court for rights to my fathers remains?
My parents are both divorced. When my Father passed away, he did not leave a will. But his sister and his mother (my aunt & grandmother) made me go to a notary to waive all of my rights towards his remains (he was cremated). I had to give his estranged family all of my rights to his ashes. I was very young at the time and felt coerced. The only witnesses were myself, my aunt, grandmother, and the notary. I believe my mother lost all of her rights when they divorced; however my brother and sister (both minors at the time) did not waive any of their rights. My mother was their guardian.... so if my brother/sister technically had rights over his remains as well, then I'm not sure if her permission was required. Since I was the only one who signed a notarized letter, is it valid? And since my siblings did not sign anything, does my family have a solid case in court for rights to my fathers remains?