Was I naive to be surprised by this?

[Planogirl]

You might want to file a police report and get a longer security alert placed on her credit reports. That will at least alert any other creditors about this problem. You can also get free reports by request during the term of the alert (at least you can with Experian).

 

[luv2sew]

Yesterday I found out something I was shocked to hear also.....I work at a cemetery and received a call to set up the opening of a grave. Except the funeral director told me there was problems with the family and money so they did not quite know what they were doing. It was clear from the persons file they wanted ground burial but may have to settle on cremation due to this money issue.

turns out that the person designated as beneficiery of the life insurance policy refuses to pay any of it out towards the funeral, which alot of our families expect that to be done with their life insurance money, and has taken the money and ran.

The funeral director told me she had every right to do that and is not required to pay any of the expenses of the deceased with that money...wow! what a creep and it was a daughter.

Now this is Pennsylvania and maybe it is different in other states. But I was under the impression that was what life insurance money was to be used for first.

 

[LindaG4458]

Can you husband be put on her credit cards & bank accounts so that he can set up online accounts to watch for any activity?

Yes, he has already set up online access and we are watching things like a hawk. (Aunt was afraid of computers and would have no part of it herself). The credit cards have been cancelled and will not be replaced. She cannot go out shopping and wouldn't buy anything online or over the phone. If she needs anything we will charge it to our cards and get reimbursement from her checking account.

 

[nordkin]

Now this is Pennsylvania and maybe it is different in other states. But I was under the impression that was what life insurance money was to be used for first.

Life insurance is the sole property of the beneficary. They have no obligation to use the money to pay burial expenses or any other bill of the deceased. I have been through this twice and did the right thing and paid for the funerals and outstanding bills, but it is not unusual for the beneficary to take the money and run. You have to be very careful who you name to receive the money. It is also tax free money to the recepient so finiancially they come out ahead, but morally and ethicly they leave a lot to be desired.

 

[LindaG4458]

That's a criminal offense, not just a civil one, isn't it? Ripping off an estate when you're the executor? That's not just a case of one kid helping himself -- that's a serious crime.

Actually it was similar to the life insurance situation. She converted the trust to another type of account (I forgot which kind) on which she was the sole signatory. She could withdraw funds at will. Morally and ethically it stunk, but legally she could do what she wanted. The "get her" faction have consulted with attorneys and are having a hard time of it.