If you are not in regular contact with a family member or friend there are several options to identify if they have died.
Why it’s important to know if someone has died
You might be trying to find out if a friend or loved one has passed away so you can pass on your condolences.
Or, you might be owed money by someone you’ve been trying to track down.
Another reason why it’s important to know if someone has died is because time limits apply to making a claim on the estate of your spouse or parent.
To Check if Someone has Died
Try these options (in order of least difficult to more strenuous):-
1. Google Search
Start with a Google search for the person’s name + deceased. e.g. John Smith + deceased. You can also try replacing the word “deceased” with “funeral”.
2. Search Probate Notices
Search for probate notices in your state. For example, in Queensland you can search the Qld Law Reporter by surname. If someone has applied for a grant of probate or letters of administration in Queensland, you can find the notice by searching “QLD Probate Search”.
3. Supreme Court Registry Search
Search the Supreme Court records in your state for a probate notice. Contact the Supreme Court nearest to where you think the deceased person may have lived.
4. Apply for a death certificate
If you are eligible you can apply for the death certificate of a dead person. To be eligible typically you must related by blood or marriage (e.g. spouse, child, parent, grandparent). Contact your local Births, Deaths and Marriages for more information e.g. BDM QLD.
Summing Up
What can I do if this yields no results?
If you are not named in the deceased’s will the executor is under no legal obligation to notify you of their death.
If you have been left out of a will, strict time limits apply to contesting the will so contact a contested will lawyer today. If you find out several years later that a family member has passed away and you believe you should have been provided for in their will, in very limited circumstances you may still be able to make a claim.
Office Location and Contact Details
Head Office in Brisbane (by appointment only)
Will and Estate Lawyers Australia
Level 1 / 16 McDougall St
Milton QLD 4064
Phone: 07 3073 2405
Email: enquiry@willandestatelawyers.com.au