her husband died a few weeks later, and his sister is trying to get his money that he intended on leaving to the lady who had taken care of him for years, what can she do, this is California/
Foofa
Order a copy from the county where the marriage took place. They HAVE to provide you with a marriage certificate. This is the law.
Anonymous
Are you saying that the certificate was never filed with the State of California OR that it was filed and then lost?
I fail to see how/why the marriage certificate would change a will. It doesn't A WIFE/HUSBAND is automatically entitled to a percentage. A sister is not.
If the marriage certificate was never filed the Justice of the Peace would need to file an Affidavit with the State stating ALL of the circumstances and the State will attempt to track down the details and issue a replacement.
Of there IS no Will the "lady" who is married to him needs to contact an Attorney. With a marriage and no Will the wife/husband automatically inherits and the care taker is not entitled to inherit.
Anonymous
You can apply for a replacement copy of the marriage certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your state.