Death Reporting Process for Public Administrator

Process

1. Yes - it is reportable

   • The facility will contact the Sheriff/Coroner (the facility is not required to report the death to the Public Administrator).
   • The Sheriff/Coroner arranges for the decedent's transport and collects limited personal property.
   • The facility MUST inventory and safeguard the personal property not collected by the Sheriff/Coroner until notified by the proper Personal Representative.

2. No - it is not reportable

   If the death is not reportable, the facility exercises due diligence to locate the decedent's personal representative.

   • Pre-Need arrangement is found - if the decedent had a pre-need arrangement with a mortuary AND no personal representative is located, the facility MUST report the death to the Public Administrator and safeguard all decedent's assets.
   • Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) with specified disposition authority.
     • Facility must safeguard decedent's assets.
     • Facility to verify instructions contained in the DPOA
       • Do NOT report to the Public Administrator if the DPOA is willing to act and Next of Kin.
       • Report to the Public Administrator if the DPOA is not willing to act and/or there is no Next of Kin. (See next section if no representative can be found.)
   • A Personal Representative is found
     • Locate the personal representative and Executor
       • Report to the Public Administrator if a Personal Representative or Executor does not want to act.
   • No Personal Representative found. (See next section.)

3. No representative is found

   • If no personal representative can be located through diligence the facility MUST report the death to the Public Administrator and safeguard the decedent's assets.
     • Determine the decedent's county of residence.
     • Submit a referral form to the Public Administrator
     • The Public Administrator investigates the Case to determine acceptance of denial (3-5 days).
       • If the Case is accepted, the Public Administrator will contact the facility to recover any safeguarded assets.
         • The facility may submit an invoice for the decedent removal expenses to the estate for creditors' consideration.
       • If the Case is Declined, the Public Administrator will send a declination letter to the referring facility and state the basis for the denial.
         • Declined - Estate Administrator Found: The facility may submit an invoice for the decedent removal expenses to the Estate Administrator.  The Estate administrator will make arrangements to collect safeguarded personal property.
         • Declined - Insolvent: If declined as insolvent the Public Administrator will make a referral to the Coroner's Office for indigent burial.

4. Process Flow Chart

   You can also download a copy of this process in the form of a flow chart.