Q: Archive.com ad Familysearch.com provides death date information, is this acceptable?
With death information provided by this online site which also connects deceased family members with their other relatives, may I use this information in place of a death certificate? Thanks for your previous response.
A: No, this type of website info is not a substitute for a death certificate
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
No, information from Archive.com and FamilySearch.com typically would not be considered an acceptable substitute for a formal death certificate in New York probate proceedings.
While these websites may provide genealogy information and death dates that they have collected, this informal online information does not carry the same legal weight and validity as an official death certificate issued by the government.
For probate proceedings in New York, you generally need to provide official documentation like original death certificates to reliably prove someone's death and activate estate settlement per the court's standards. Information from genealogy websites could provide helpful leads, but is usually not adequate on its own to legally confirm a date of death.
The probate court wants to see formal proofs like death certificates that undergo verification processes and include additional legally required information. They set a high bar for reliability.
So in summary - no, informal online death dates and information would likely not suffice for New York probate. To move forward and satisfy the court, you'd want to follow their guidelines and obtain certified copies of official death certificates instead.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
