I am estranged from the family — do I have rights?

What this usually means

Legal rights depend on your relationship to the deceased. A spouse or domestic partner has the strongest rights even after estrangement — separation without divorce still confers legal rights in California. Adult children have rights even without contact. Friends and unmarried partners generally have no legal rights unless named in a will or trust.

What to do next

• Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
• Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
• Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
• Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.

Related questions

• What happens if no one claims the body?
• What if the deceased had no will and no family?
• What if I am an unmarried partner and was not named in the will?
• What if the family is fighting over who is in charge?
• What if I haven't spoken to the deceased in years and then they die?