A. Location of Beneficiaries and Heirs:
When it appears that no one with a higher authority is acting to handle a decedent's estate, it is the duty of the Public Administrator to make a diligent search for a will and the names and addresses of heirs. If a will is found, the named executor is notified.

If no will is found, then the Public Administrator will give notice to known distributees of the decedent to determine if they are willing or able to handle the estate. If there are no heirs or the heirs are unable or unwilling to act, the Public Administrator may handle the disposition of the estate.

B. Possession of Assets:
If no personal representative has been appointed, the Public Administrator has the responsibility to take prompt possession or control of the property of a decedent. All assets of a decedent's estate are brought under the control of the Public Administrator when a determination is made that the Public Administrator will handle the estate.

C. Payment of Debts:
The Public Administrator tries to ascertain the debts of each estate and notify all known creditors. Creditor's claims are sent out and a minimum of seven months is allowed for creditors to file a claim against the estate before the estate can be closed.

D. Sale of Personal and Real Property:
The Nassau County Public Administrator liquidates all property from estates in order to pay the debts of those estates and make proper distribution.

All real property, jewelry, automobiles and boats are sold at public auctions.
 

E. Distribution of Assets:
The Public Administrator must attempt to distribute the assets of an estate to those who are entitled to inherit them. When there is no will, the proper order of those persons who are entitled to inherit an estate's assets is listed in the Estates Powers and Trust Laws 4-1.1. However, determining who is entitled to inherit what and locating those individuals can be very time consuming.

In some cases those entitled to inherit have passed away. In other cases there may be no current address for heirs or beneficiaries of a will located among the decedent's possessions. These problems can drastically slow down the time of distribution.