When a loved one dies, there are so many tasks to handle during an already trying time.
One that is very important, and has proved to cause problems for our clients, is to make sure that you obtain more than enough certified copy death certificates from the funeral home.
The general guideline most people hear is to get one certified copy death certificate per asset. However, there are often matters that will unexpectedly arise, for which a certified copy death certificate will be required.
Count the number of assets owned by the deceased (e.g., a vehicle, bank account, and investment account are three separate assets). In addition to that number, order at least several extra certified copy death certificates from the funeral home. If the deceased had a substantial number of assets, it may be necessary to order even more “extra” certified copy death certificates.
The reason that it is so important to order enough certified copy death certificates initially, is because if extras are needed later in the process, it can take two months to obtain them from the Division of Vital Records. Further, under Maryland law, only a family member or the personal representative for the deceased can request a certified copy death certificate – an attorney cannot.
It will save the Estate of the deceased a substantial amount of money and time spent by family members or the personal representative, to order enough certified copy death certificates from the funeral home.