Coroner investigations-disposition of decedent's property.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide detailed information on contacting next-of-kin or the process of releasing small items, leaving these aspects unclear.

Coroner Investigations and Property Disposition

This law changes how coroners handle property found on a person who died without a personal representative or next of kin, requiring them to first try contacting family members before disposing of the items.

What This Bill Does

• Requires coroners to make a good-faith effort to contact the deceased's next-of-kin if there is no personal representative for the estate.
• Specifies that property must be sold at public auction after 180 days if no one claims it, with proceeds first covering burial expenses and then being deposited as unclaimed property.

Who It Names or Affects

• Coroners who investigate deaths and handle unclaimed property.
• Next-of-kin of deceased individuals without personal representatives or claimants.
• State Treasurer's office, which will manage unclaimed funds.

Terms To Know

Personal Representative

A person legally responsible for managing the estate of someone who has died.

Next-of-kin

The closest living relatives of a deceased person, typically parents, children, or spouse.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify what happens if next-of-kin cannot be contacted.
• Does not detail the process for contacting next-of-kin beyond requiring good faith efforts.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 25LSO-0428

Bill No.:

SF0075

Effective:

7/1/2025

LSO No.:

25LSO-0428

Enrolled Act No.:

SEA No. 0030

Chapter No.:

60

Prime Sponsor:

Case

Catch Title:

Coroner investigations-disposition of decedent's property.

Has Report:

No

Subject:

Amending how property of decedents involved in coroner's cases is disposed.

Summary/Major Elements:

Current law requires that, within a reasonable time after the coroner completes an investigation into a decedent's death, the coroner must turn over any property to the personal representative of the decedent or, if there is no personal representative, to the clerk of the district court in the county.

This act provides that, instead of property being turned over to the clerk of the district court in the absence of a personal representative for the decedent, the coroner must first make a good-faith effort to contact the decedent's next-of-kin before disposing of the property.

The act specifies that, if there is no personal representative and if no next-of-kin claims the money or property within one hundred eighty (180) days, the coroner must cause the property to be sold at public auction.

The proceeds from the auction and any money of the decedent must first be applied to pay the expenses of burial. After that, any remaining money and proceeds exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) must be deposited and placed in the State Treasurer's custody as unclaimed property under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

25LSO-0428

ORIGINAL Senate

ENGROSSED
File No
.
SF0075

ENROLLED ACT NO. 30,

SENATE

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2025 General Session

AN ACT relating to county coroners; amending the disposition of property for decedents without personal representatives or next of kin; specifying the disposition of proceeds; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 7
‑
4
‑
207(b) and by creating a new subsection (c) is amended to read:

7
‑
4
‑
207.

Disposition of body and effects of deceased.

(b)

The coroner shall
,
within a reasonable time after completing the investigation, turn over to the appointed personal representative of the estate of the deceased or, if none
, to the clerk of the district court of the county,

is found the coroner shall make a good faith effort to contact the deceased's next of kin and the coroner shall dispose of
all money or other property found upon the body of the deceased
in accordance with subsection (c) of this section
. Personal items valued at less than fifty dollars ($50.00) and items necessary for the convenience of the deceased's next of kin may be released to the deceased's next of kin.

(c)

If there is no personal representative of the estate and if the deceased's next of kin does not claim the money and property found upon the body of the deceased within one hundred eighty (180) days, the coroner shall cause the property to be sold at public auction to the highest bidder or by any other means of sale adopted by the county in which the investigation occurs. All money and any proceeds from the sale or auction of the property shall first be used to pay the expenses of the burial in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. Any remaining money and proceeds in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be deposited and placed in the custody of the state treasurer under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2025
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1