To whom shall all property, including cash, belonging to a deceased inmate be delivered?

The correct answer indicates that all property, including cash, belonging to a deceased inmate should be delivered to the county public administrator of their last residence. This is grounded in legal protocols governing the management of an inmate’s affairs after death. The role of the county public administrator is to oversee the assets of individuals who die intestate (without a will) and to ensure that their property is handled according to state law.

When an inmate passes away, there might not be an immediate next of kin to claim the property. In such cases, the public administrator serves as a neutral party who is appointed by the state to take responsibility for the estate. This includes distributing the assets in a manner that complies with legal requirements and protects the rights of any potential heirs.

While next of kin or a designated beneficiary may appear to be logical options for property delivery, these circumstances can be complicated by lack of clear designation, disputes among heirs, or cases where the inmate does not have identifiable relatives. The involvement of a public administrator helps to mitigate these issues by providing an impartial and systematic approach to asset distribution.

Deliberate consideration of who is best equipped to manage the deceased's property and ensure lawful distribution underscores why the county public administrator is the appointed authority in these situations.