After the Funeral
A death somebody caused, a house that was meant to skip probate, and a dog that got out
A crash that was somebody else's fault. The family wants to sue, and three of them each think it is their claim.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
The survival action for the decedent's own injuries, how a wrongful death recovery is distributed, contingent beneficiaries on a transfer on death affidavit, the Medicaid estate recovery claim, redemption fees at the pound, and dogs seized as dangerous are not walked here. Nothing on this page says whether a particular death gives rise to an action or whether a particular deed was validly recorded.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
6 words · tap one for its definition
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Acknowledgment of paternityThe affidavit a man signs to acknowledge that he is a child's natural father. Once it becomes final it is a final and enforceable determination of paternity rather than a presumption, and the form carries that warning in boldface at the top.
- Transfer on death designation affidavitA recorded document in which the owner of real property names who takes it at death. Title passes outside probate, and the beneficiary confirms the transfer afterwards with an affidavit of confirmation and a certified death certificate filed with the county recorder.
- Personal representativeIn the medical records section, a person authorized to act for the patient, who may make the written request to examine or copy the record alongside the patient and an authorized person.
- Personal representative of the estateThe executor or administrator of a deceased person's estate. A wrongful death action is brought in this person's name, for the benefit of the surviving spouse, children, parents and other next of kin, rather than by any of them in their own right.
- HarborerSomebody who shelters, protects or exercises control over a dog. The dog bite section makes an owner, a keeper and a harborer liable, and only the first of those three owns the animal.
- RedemptionRecovering property before a sale is finalized by paying what the law requires, which in a foreclosure is the judgment, the costs, poundage and interest.