22 CFR § 72.20 Deaths and Estates

§ 72.20 Prohibition against performing legal services or employing counsel.

Current through Oct 13, 2026 · Read all of Part 72

A consular officer may not act as an attorney or agent for the estate of a deceased United States citizen or non-citizen national overseas or employ counsel at the expense of the United States Government in taking possession and disposing of the personal estate of a United States citizen or non-citizen national who dies abroad, unless specifically authorized in writing by the Department. If the legal representative or other interested person wishes to obtain legal counsel, the consular officer may furnish a list of attorneys.

← § 72.19 Consular officer is ordinarily not to act as administrator of estate.§ 72.21 Consular officer may not assume financial responsibility for the estate. →