An affidavit of domicile is a legal document which indicates where someone lived at the time of death. In addition to disclosing someone's final place of residence, the affidavit of domicile also indicates how long the decedent lived in that location. This document is used when transferring assets out of the name of the deceased, and is prepared by a legal professional. Usually it needs to be notarized to be valid.
The idea behind an affidavit of domicile is that before releasing assets, the holder of the assets, such as a bank, wants to be satisfied that all debts and other obligations on the part of the deceased have been cleared. With an affidavit of domicile, it can be confirmed that there were no outstanding debts in the name of the deceased at the time of death, and that the assets can be released. To transfer ownership of property, this document must be presented.
At the time of death, people may have assets in several locations, especially if they moved around during their lives. The affidavit of domicile indicates where the deceased had established residence at the time of death, and how long the deceased had been resident in that location. It also usually includes a disclaimer which indicates that the deceased did not have residence status anywhere else, as this could cause conflicts with debts and obligations which might hinder the release of assets.
Documents such as a death certificate can also be required. The affidavit of domicile names the heir and indicates that the document is being presented by the executor of the estate so that assets are only released to the appropriate person. People may also be asked to show their identification to demonstrate that they have the legal right to transfer assets and make other decisions. This is done to confirm that any transactions are entirely legal, reducing liability for the bank or other institution handling the transfer of assets.
This document, among others which may be required after death, can be prepared by a lawyer who can assist an executor with the handling of an estate. Dealing with someone's estate can be a complicated process, and it can be helpful to work with an experienced lawyer who can offer advice, assistance, and guidance to make the process go more smoothly. Some lawyers specialize in assisting people with the execution of estates, and can also help with estate planning, organizing things before death so that the estate can be processed quickly.
