Death Certificate Not Enough Proof to Access Father’s Money

Children, of the man, Kerry Blair whom the coroner ruled fell overboard in a boating accident or committed suicide, have been told that a death certificate is not enough proof of death to allow them access to their father’s money. For years, they have been struggling to claim their father’s estate’s proceeds.

Blair reportedly took his boat, Erie from his Malborough Sounds property to get fish and chips on March 8, 2014 but never returned. Nine days later, his boat was found off the coast of Taranaki. His children have been trying to withdraw his modest savings but to no avail.

However, the Auckland High Court has requested an affidavit from a police officer or rescue professional who worked the case. Sources say the registrars need extra evidence beyond a death certificate.

Dylan Blair, one of Kerry Blair’s sons said they are shocked that the coroner’s findings and death certificate was not considered evidence. “What’s the point of having a coroner’s inquest? We are lucky Dad didn’t have any big assets, and we don’t have to pay his mortgage. But you can see how for someone else, it could be a real problem,” he said. Dylan further said he’d rather the old man (dad) come back, than have the money. “We just want to tidy up all his affairs and his estate.”

A law professor says we can never be certain of Kerry Blair’s death. He may suddenly reappear. “We know he was on a boat and shipwrecked but we just don’t know what happened.”