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Medinas Asked April 2018

What do I do with Grandma's checks?

I told my grandma's court appointed conservator to come get my grandmas 3 pension checks she gave me the day she went into nursing home and she ignored me and let the checks expire. What do I do, I've still got the expired checks?

JoAnn29 Apr 2018
Good idea GA. I learned to cover my tail when I worked. I always make copies and write a cover letter. Learning to certify too. Didn't when I sent original death certificate to Dads former employer informing them of Moms death. Kept getting calls they never received. I confirmed the address explained it was never returned. Eventually one of the phone reps said it was probably filed before the infonwas entered on Moms acct. or on somebodies desk. Which is what I told the previous callers. Told them not to call me again. I did my part, they WERE just a former employer.

GardenArtist Apr 2018
I would think the uncashed and expired checks could be reissued. I've had to do that for dividend and cap gain distributions.

But I would agree with others that you should keep a copy. Being me, and being gutsy (sometimes!), I'd send either a copy or the checks to the judge who appointed the conservator.

They need to know when someone who's appointed isn't performing up to standards.

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surprise Apr 2018
Why not send the checks back to the pension company with the name and address of the conservator? Chances are they already reissued the payments directly to Mom's account and cancelled the checks you hold.

I know mthr lost several checks before we rescued her. They all eventually appeared on the escheats site for the state, also called unclaimed funds. That's why we stopped worrying about lost checks. You can too!

JoAnn29 Apr 2018
Is grandma on Medicaid? If so, surprised that the NH is not payee for SS and pension.

Send the checks to the conservator. She can then call the company to see if they will reissue. She has the authority. I would write a letter mentioning this. Also mention the checks expired because she never contacted you after numerous messages to her. Like said send certified mail keeping copies for yourself.

Medinas Apr 2018
I told her about the checks many times when they wernt expired when I got them she still had 8 months until they expired so basically for that 8 months she avoided me when I told her i had the checks and its her job To make sure she has all paperwork from and for house and her financials and she told me she was coming to pick them up set a date and everything but she never showed or called....my grandma & me mailed a check to pay property tax on house before she went in but what did they do they cancelled that check so her property taxes never got paid i tried to pay out of my own pocket and they said no they wont even let me see my grandma only once a month they said and I have to call her gaurdian first... if you ask me there crooked people point blank

Countrymouse Apr 2018
Medina, court-appointed conservators are not paid to take instructions from family members. Why didn't you deal with this well before the checks expired, if you were concerned about it?

Mail the expired checks to the conservator securely and leave it at that. I'd get proof of postage but I really wouldn't worry too much. The money cannot go astray; and if there's ever any question of whether you misused the checks the records will clearly show that they were never cashed, so no you didn't.

The conservator will liaise with the pension companies to ensure that your grandmother's details are updated; but it won't be your problem, anyway - it's the conservator's responsibility to administer your grandmother's finances, including any pension income. Obviously be as helpful as possible if you're asked; but actually I'm not even sure you need to take the initiative here.

Mm. lf you have free phone calls, you might even want to ring ahead to the conservator and confirm that those checks haven't already been re-issued - could save you a postage stamp.

polarbear Apr 2018
To protect yourself from the conservator saying no checks were in the registered mail:

1)make a copy of the checks.

2) take to p.o. and mail original checks to conservator with Return Receipt Requested so you will get a card back with signature to prove the mail was delivered and signed for.

3) mail the check copies to yourself in the same manner.

This advice is usually given by a lawyer to his clients in similar situation.

cwillie Apr 2018
Of course they are worthless if they have expired, but if I was in your place I would send them registered mail to the conservator and be done with it.

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