Whenever any person admitted to a division facility dies, the administrative officer shall send written notice to the decedent’s legally appointed representative, listing the personal property remaining in the custody or possession of the facility. If there is no demand made upon the administrative officer of the facility by the decedent’s legally appointed representative, all personal property of the decedent remaining in the custody or possession of the administrative officer must be held by the officer for a period of 1 year from the date of the decedent’s death for the benefit of the heirs, legatees or successors of the decedent. At the end of this period, another notice must be sent to the decedent’s representative, listing the property and specifying the manner in which the property will be disposed of if not claimed within 15 business days. After 15 business days, all personal property and documents of the decedent, other than cash, remaining unclaimed in the possession of the administrative officer must be disposed of as follows:

1. All documents must be filed by the administrative officer with:

(a) The public administrator of the county from which the consumer was admitted; or

(b) If the office of public administrator has been abolished pursuant to NRS 253.125, the person employed or contracted with pursuant to NRS 253.125 to carry out the duties and responsibilities of chapter 253 of NRS in the county from which the consumer was admitted,

as applicable.

2. All other personal property must be sold at a public auction or by sealed bids. The proceeds of the sale must be applied to the decedent’s unpaid balance for costs incurred at the division facility.

(Added to NRS by 1979, 253; A 2011, 419; 2019, 1550)