my rights when a parent dies

[emily martinez]

Jurisdiction

California

my mother passed away and my sister claims she had the body cremated, without notifying me. can she have done this legally?

 

[adjusterjack]

Yes.

Besides, it's done.

She isn't going to jail for it and you aren't going to win any money in a civil suit.

 

[zddoodah]

my mother passed away and my sister claims she had the body cremated, without notifying me. can she have done this legally?

That depends. Did your mother have a power of attorney for purposes of medical decisions? If so, was your sister named as the attorney-in-fact? Did your mother have a will? If so, was your sister nominated to serve as executor of her estate?