Any lawyers out there?

[mumom95]

I was hoping there would be someone on the DIS that could help me figure out who I need to call.

Our local news was running a story about those unclaimed funds websites you can go to and gave a link to the one for the state of Ohio. I went to it and typed in my mother's name (she passed away in 2001) and two things came up for her, both from Metlife for a total of about $600.

I submitted the info that says I am the rightful owner to it and it had me print out something that I have to send to the state of Ohio.

I have to submit proof that I am the rightful owner by providing something that says I am the executor of the estate (which I was). Problem is, the form must be dated within the past two years, and I was assigned executor back in 2001.

Can anyone tell me what I need to be reassigned? Do I need to hire a lawyer (which may not be worth it, depending on the cost of the lawyer). Or is there some government office I can call and have them assign me executor?

I do have a sister, but she told me to just handle it myself and keep the money. She'll sign anything that needs to be signed (meaning, there isn't any issue with someone else claiming they have a right to the money).

So, any suggestions?

 

[horseshowmom]

I was hoping there would be someone on the DIS that could help me figure out who I need to call.

Our local news was running a story about those unclaimed funds websites you can go to and gave a link to the one for the state of Ohio. I went to it and typed in my mother's name (she passed away in 2001) and two things came up for her, both from Metlife for a total of about $600.

I submitted the info that says I am the rightful owner to it and it had me print out something that I have to send to the state of Ohio.

I have to submit proof that I am the rightful owner by providing something that says I am the executor of the estate (which I was). Problem is, the form must be dated within the past two years, and I was assigned executor back in 2001.

Can anyone tell me what I need to be reassigned? Do I need to hire a lawyer (which may not be worth it, depending on the cost of the lawyer). Or is there some government office I can call and have them assign me executor?

I do have a sister, but she told me to just handle it myself and keep the money. She'll sign anything that needs to be signed (meaning, there isn't any issue with someone else claiming they have a right to the money).

So, any suggestions?

I'm not a lawyer, but I would call the department that deals with this and ask them how to proceed. I'm positive that you can't be the first one to have the two years issue. Good luck!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Contact (call) your state treasurer's office or the equivalent and ask exactly what that means. You shouldn't need to be "re"assigned in any way, at any time. Once the executor, always the executor. My situation is a little different; since there was no executor, I just need several people to sign a form (every time ) saying that, yes, it's okay for me to claim this money.

But while you didn't ask - you should never need to pay anyone anything to claim unclaimed funds.

 

[barkley]

Contact (call) your state treasurer's office or the equivalent and ask exactly what that means. You shouldn't need to be "re"assigned in any way, at any time. Once the executor, always the executor. My situation is a little different; since there was no executor, I just need several people to sign a form (every time ) saying that, yes, it's okay for me to claim this money.

But while you didn't ask - you should never need to pay anyone anything to claim unclaimed funds.

i agree-contact their office, and in the case of being executor-it does continue legaly "forever" unless there's legal action to end it. we found this out when mil passed away and dh was executor of her estate-going through her paperwork we realized there were a couple of things she never tied up when she was the named executor of fil's estate years prior. we thought we would have a mess dealing with it-but found a notarized copy of his will where (unbeknown to any of us) he had named dh as alternate executor in the event mil could not complete her duties. by virtue of this document and mil's death certificate dh is now considered the executor of his estate, and it's all we've ever had to provide to anyone.

 

[mumom95]

She didn't have a will when she died, I don't know if that will matter. I was named executor because my sister and I were the only heirs and I lived in the same area as my mom had, so it was just easier for me to handle everything. My sister and I are close and just split everything 50/50, so there has never been an issue with people contesting anything.

Thanks for the info. I will try calling the treasurers office.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, good. Yeah, in Massachusetts, I either have to sign and have notarized a form that says I have sole right to any unclaimed funds, or have my siblings all sign the form that it's fine with them that I claim the money (and again, have it notarized).

 

[Cindy B]

Not a lawyer.. but I do deal with this at work with unclaimed Social Security funds.

I had an instance last week where a client who was drawing SS checks passed away and had some money left in the account. They passed away a while ago and the brother was the executor of the estate. The brother is entitled to the overage if proof is obtained

We had no proof on file that the brother was the executor. I advised the brother to go to the court house or city hall where the person was deceased and ask for a "short certificate". This apparently is a document that just states that person was alive, passed away and named the person the executor.

This may help you.