What to do if my uncle passed away in Germany and we are trying to claim him?
Question Details: He's a US citizen and worked at Kaiserslautern Base. They will John Doe him if not claimed. The casualty area that we are working with stated that until a next of kin is established we cannot claim his body. He is the brother of my mother, however, he has a daughter that has been calling asking for his Will. His biological daughter was adopted in the 60's by another man that her mother remarried. The casualty center now said that we have to prove that she was adopted in order for my mother to be considered the next of kin. How can we prove that my uncle’s daughter was legally adopted by her stepfather?
What you need to do since time is of the essence is to contact the nearest United States embassy in Germany and seek assistance since you are an American citizen and your uncle was one as well.
The way to ascertain if you uncle's daughter was legally adopted is to consult with a family law attorney in the county and state where you believe the adoption was done per a court order and see if the consulted attorney obatin a certified copy of the adoption order to provide you.
