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The Clark County Public Administrator is an elected Officer entrusted to oversee the administration of the estates of persons deceased in Clark County who have no qualified person willing and able to administer.
NRS 253.0405 Circumstances under which public administrator may secure property of deceased. Before the issuance of the letters of administration for an estate, before filing an affidavit to administer an estate pursuant to NRS 253.0403 or before petitioning to have an estate set aside pursuant to NRS 253.0425, the public administrator may secure the property of a deceased person if he finds that:
- There are no relatives of the deceased who are able to protect the property; and
- Failure to do so could endanger the property.
(Added to NRS by 1983, 1597; A 1991, 197; 1999, 918)
These conditions apply when:
There are no known heirs.
No executor has been appointed and as a result, the estate, or any part, is
being wasted uncared for or lost.
The named executor of a will fails to act.
The will names the Public Administrator as executor.
An heir or heirs wish to have the estate administered for them by the Public Administrator.
When the Public Administrator Steps In
In accordance with state law, the Public Administrator must ensure that the property of a deceased person is safeguarded. If the police or coroner cannot immediately locate a family member when there has been a death, they will request the assistance of the Public Administrator's Office.
Funeral Arrangements
At the request of or in the absence of relatives, the Public Administrator will make necessary funeral arrangements. Arrangements will be made in accordance with any plans of the deceased and within the ability of the estate to pay. If it appears that there are insufficient funds for a private service, referrals will be made to Clark County Social Service.
Selling of Property
If the estate is debt free and has sufficient cash to pay claims and expenses, the Public Administrator does not ordinarily sell the real property, securities or jewelry of the deceased without the permission of the heirs. At the request of heirs, the estate will be liquidated at public auction. |