[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 22, Volume 1] [Revised as of April 1, 2004] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 22CFR72.20] [Page 354] TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE PART 72_DEATHS AND ESTATES--Table of Contents Sec. 72.20 Responsibility if ``partner in trade'' is present. Although the law (22 U.S.C. 1175) also relieves the consular officer of responsibility if a ``partner in trade'' is present, the death of one member of a partnership automatically dissolves this relationship. Consequently, the surviving partner or partners have no beneficial interest as ``partners in trade'' in the personal estate of the deceased. The duties and responsibilities of provisional conservator of the personal estate of the deceased cannot therefore be assumed by a surviving partner, unless he is duly authorized to act as a legal representative of the deceased. Accordingly, the presence of a former ``partner in trade'' will not necessarily relieve the consular officer of his responsibility.