What do I need to do so my friend can get my death certificate when I die?
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What do I need to do so my friend can get my death certificate when I die?
I live in Nevada. My 2 sisters and I are
estranged. I am divorced since over 30 years.
When I die I want my best friend to have
access to my death certificate for my own
reasons and if possible just have me
cremated. I don’t want my family involved just
my best friend. Can I just write a statement
saying for the friend to be allowed to handle my
cremation and get my certificate and have it
notarized?
Asked on May 11, 2017 under Estate Planning, Nevada
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Draft a will (in which you can direct who gets your property or assets as well) and in it, name your friend as the executor for your estate. The executor of an estate has the legal authority to get the death certificates for the deceased. Doing this will also make sure that the court does not appoint one of your estraged sisters to oversee your estate, since she may not follow your wishes.
Note you can also put your wishes about burial, any services, etc. into the will. A simple will can generally be created by a lawyer for $300 - $500, and the lawyer will also make sure it is properly signed, witnessed, etc. The reason you need a will is that *only* a will controls what happens after a person dies--other letters or documents do not.
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