Coleman, Price may not have been married when he died

Gary Coleman and Shannon Price may not have been legally married at the time of his death last week, according to Coleman's former lawyer.

"I can confirm they've been divorced since August 12, 2008," Randy Kester, who handled the divorce, told People magazine. "At the time of Gary's death, they were not married. I have no knowledge if they were ever remarried."

Price had told emergency crews and hospital staff that she was Coleman's wife.

Documents posted on ETOnline Wednesday indicated the couple had divorced, though their names were listed as John Doe and Jane Doe.

"Gary wanted me to keep their divorce private," Kester says, "but now that it's been made public, I'm compelled to say it's all true."

The news means Price may not have had the authority to make medical decisions about Coleman nor the ability to make any future decisions, including funeral arrangements.

Price called 911 two days before Coleman died on May 28, after being taken off life support. In the nearly six-minute call, Price is heard telling the dispatcher that Coleman is bleeding from the back of his head and "bubbling at the mouth" after falling at his Utah home, The Associated Press reports.

"I just don't want him to die," Price told the female dispatcher. "I'm freaking out like really bad."

Price said she wasn't sure whether Coleman had a seizure or whether he hit his head and fell.