CHL Death Question

[txglock21]

New to forum, but been lurking about a month. Took the plunge after first status change this morning. Anyway, my question is, my dad was a Texas CHL holder and passed away in July, his CHL is still good for 2 more years, do I need to inform the state of his passing or do nothing and just let it run its course? Any advice would be helpful.

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum, and I'm sorry for the passing of your father.

You don't need to do anything with his CHL. A CHL is valid only for the person that it was issued to. It's not like a credit card that could be used by someone else.

You might want to cut it up or put it in a safe to prevent posthumous identity theft—which is a real phenomenon.

Though that gives me the opportunity to tell a story: Some years ago, the agency that licenses physicians in one of the states (California, maybe) decided to search their database the physician who had been practicing the longest. They found someone whose medical license had been in effect for about 100 years. When they inquired further, they found that the grandson of a physician, who was at that point long deceased, had taken over the practice and renewed the deceased physician's license for decades.

What may be surprising is that the bogus doctor's patients expressed great confidence and satisfaction with what he had done. Most medicine is routine. When he ran into something more complicated, like arthritis or cancer, he referred the patient to a specialist.

- Jim

[txglock21]

Thanks for the advice! That is what I thought, but wanted to make sure. Since he was cremated (sic), I thought about making some sort of display case to put his urn in and his CHL with it since he was a huge supporter of gun carry in Texas. Thanks again!

[seamusTX]

Maybe a "come and get it" flag?

It's sad that someone would misuse personal information, but criminals exploit every opportunity.

- Jim

[bayouhazard]

As a reminder, similar concerns exist for a decedent's DL, passport, etc.

My condolences on your loss.