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Shareholder died in apartmentOct 06, 2022

Hello!
Anyone have any experience with an apartment being sealed by the NYPD due to a shareholder dying there? This guy died from being ill, not something part of a criminal investigation. However he had no will and the deceased's brother is saying the apartment is with the Kings county probate court and will not be able to be unsealed till "sometime in the future". The problem is we are planning a building wide renovation project that involves needing access to this unit. Anyone have any experience with this kind of situation? Thanks.

Join the Conversation Comments (1)
Shareholder died in apartment - Steven424 Oct 06, 2022

Hi. We had an identical situation happen in my building, and the procedures being followed by the police and medical examiner are exactly the same. Unless a person dies in the presence of a doctor or other medical professional, the death is assumed to be of unknown causes and requires an inquiry by the medical examiner's office.

From what you describe, the legal and estate implications are going to become very convoluted very quickly. You should *not* try to navigate this system without legal help. I would contact your co-op's attorney immediately so there is someone with the proper legal knowledge looking out for the co-op corporation's interests.

Don't do *anything* without legal advice. You know what they say about the road to hell being paved with good intentions...

I hope this doesn't drag out for too long.

You also need to have a hazmat company come in and do a thorough cleaning and disinfecting. If you don't, and anyone gets ill (or worse) from any biological material that could remotely be connected to improper biohazard cleanup, you're looking at a serious negligence lawsuit.

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