Brian Laundrie’s parents are ‘trying to gain access to his belongings and bank account’ as they await death certificate
BRIAN Laundrie's parents started the legal process to gain access to their son's estate, which includes things like his bank account.
As the 23-year-old didn't have a will, Chris and Roberta Laundrie have had to go through the courts in a technical but common procedure to make this happen.
In Florida, estates valued at less than $75,000 require a "Petition for Summary Administration," which the Laundries filed in Sarasota County court Wednesday.
"This would be entirely typical for parents to file when their teenage or young-adult child dies since they usually do not possess a lot of property," University of Florida Levin College of Law Professor Danaya Wright told The Sun in an email.
Brian was 23 and lived with his parents in North Port at the time of his death.
The legal filing is intended to speed up the probate process, which ensures the deceased's property is protected and inventoried, creditors are paid and beneficiaries’ rights and interests are protected, University of Florida Levin College of Law professor Lee-ford Tritt explained to The Sun.
"Basically, summary administration is truncated probate. Or, quickie probate. It is for estates worth less than $75,000," Tritt said.
"No personal representative (executor) is appointed and the court transfers the deceased’s property directly to the heirs without formal proceedings."
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Without a summary administration, the heirs - in this case, Brian's parents - wouldn't have access to things like his bank account or be able to transfer the title of a car, for example.
A death certificate will also be attached to the petition of summary judgment, Tritt said.
Brian Laundrie's partial remains were found on October 20 in a nature reserve a few miles from his North Port home and his death was ruled a suicide.
Before his death, he was a person of interest in his fiancee Gabby Petito's homicide and was wanted for allegedly using her bank cards after her death.
Gabby was last seen on August 27, 2021, in a restaurant in Wyoming with Brian.
She was reported missing on September 11 by her mother after Brian returned home without her on September 1.
Her remains were found in Wyoming on September 19, and her death was ruled murder by strangulation.
After Brian's autopsy revealed he died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the family attorney issued this statement:
"Chris and Roberta Laundrie are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families."
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