FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR

WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR DO? 

The Public Administrator is an elected position entrusted to oversee the administration of the estates of deceased persons who have no qualified person willing and able to do so. The administrator is required by state law to ensure that the property of the deceased is secured until a relative or other designated person can claim the property. These conditions may 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 ensures 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.

In the absence of relatives, when an estate has assets, the Public Administrator may 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 for an indigent burial.

Selling of Property

If the estate is debt free and has sufficient cash to pay claims and expenses, the Public Administrator may not sell the real property, securities or jewelry of the deceased unless instructed by heirs. At the request of heirs, the estate will be liquidated at public auction.

WHERE DOES THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR GET HIS or HER AUTHORITY? 

Nevada Revised Statutes CHAPTER 253 - PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS AND GUARDIANS

DOES THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR CHARGE FOR SERVICES? 

Yes, fees are set by NRS:  The Public Administrator's Office has the responsibility to protect the valuables of individuals who die in Clark County until family or a legal representative can take possession. This service is furnished 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Estate property is brought into the Public Administrator's warehouse for safekeeping, residences are sealed and locked and vehicles are secured.  Fees collected for services are returned to the County General Fund. This price schedule covers the actual cost of providing the service.   FEE SCHEDULE LINK

ARE ALL NEVADA PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS ELECTED? 

Some are elected, some are appointed, and sometimes the duty is assigned to another office:

 Table from the Washoe County Public Administrator Web site. 

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE TO CLARK COUNTY'S MANAGEMENT? 

Well as an elected county official the Public Administrator is a peer to other elected officinals.  But the duty is not like sitting on a board.  The CCPA is a department working position, very close to line operations, where daily duties are required and performed to get the job done.  The CCPA is in court every Friday to answer on assigned cases as necessary and to respond otherwise as may be required by the direction of the Probate Commissioner.  Interaction with the Coroner, Guardian, Law Enforcement, and oversight of estate management is all part of a daily routine that makes the Public Administrator one of the most "hands on" elected offices in government.  The County funds the office and staff positions through the same budget process as other County operations.  Budget for operations must be fought for against all the other responsibilities the County performs.  If the CCPA asks for a new staff position, to keep up with the growing demands and increasing population, that position will have to be considered along with a request for more staff in other Departments.  It a process that demands experience in budget preparation and program management.  The County has the purse strings and the elected Public Administrator has the authority and responsibility by statute.  How's that for an interesting relationship? 

WHERE DOES UNCLAIMED PROPERTY GO? 

The CCPA works very hard to find a relative so there is no unclaimed property, but it does happen.  That property is usually liquidated and the funds held by the County for up to two years and then it escheates to the State of Nevada where it may be held indefinitely.  Check out this article on MSNBC Dateline and the page of the Nevada State Treasurer. 

HOW CAN I FIND IF I MIGHT HAVE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY SOMEWHERE?

See these links MSNBC Dateline and the page of the Nevada State Treasurer.  If you want to send the info to someone who does not have a computer print out the URL and the info and suggest they get assistance from their local library to find those sites and write down the info. 

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION THAT WE MIGHT POST? 

EMAIL John at JJCAHILL@COX.NET