Follow
Share

I found savings bonds that my 87-year-old mother had purchased in 1992. Checked on Treasury Direct and they were valid and got the value. Took my mother to redeemed them at the bank. After the bank had validated them they were redeemed by her. She passed nine months later. Here estate is closed and a couple of months later the Treasury says that the bonds that were redeemed had been declared lost and the replacements had been redeemed. They are coming after me personally as the executor of the estate, for the value of the redemption. I check again this month 1 year after redeeming the original bonds and those numbers are still showing as active bonds and the system provided a value. I realize that they are the Federal government but can they really do this?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ricochet1, just make sure this isn't a scam. Was the letter from the U.S. Treasury sent to your Mother's address and forwarded, or your address if she lived with you? Just curious how did this government department know that you were the Executor of the estate.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

A couple of questions for you

Is it possible your mother did request replacement bonds and cashed them years before ?

If so, She would have had to declare interest on her tax return -
how far back do you have her records?
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

It is a estate issue & of which you are executor of. This is VERY different than you personally.
So you did traditional probate, right? And within this, a required NOC (notice to creditors) was placed, right? By the NOC, I mean item placed in the newpaper that read along the lines of "notice to creditors, XYZ, resident of Houston, Tx / Harris County, estate opened PC # 2, docket # 12345, atty of record is Duewe, Cheatum & Howe at 9876 Apple St & to which all claims (debts) against the estate to be filed". NOC could have run in local newspaper or a speciality newspaper; kinda depends on city size & state regulations.

If this was done (& it should have been done & placed by your probate atty), then you get a copy of it. It should be an item within the docket chain for the estate; you can call PC and ask how to get it. Depending on court could have a fee. But doing it this way will be cheaper than asking the probate atty to get it as the estate is "closed". It will likely have a PC seal on it with date entered. You certify mail with return registered card this with a cover letter to Treasury Dept. In the letter you state something along the lines that:
- you did due diligence and checked with Treasury direct site which showed validity
-  it's your understanding that as a NOC was done, any claims for debts against the estate should have been presented to the court; and within the time frame as per state laws; and if not, then the claim is time barred; & as such the claim is not valid & you consider that matter closed. 
Do this type of short 1 page letter with your closing as "Jane Smith as executor of record for Mary Jones Smith"  & see what happens. If you have an extra Letters Testamentary that names you as executor include that too.

The "you personally" is a ruse or an implied used often by wily debt collectors to make folks believe they are responsible for others debts. For those of us dealing with our elders finances, we often find they have all sorts of accounts past due, cancelled, defaulted on.... And all of which we were unaware of as everything looks ok when we visit. And the debt collectors will do whatever to affix that debt onto others as they know that the 80 or 90 yr old is not going to pay & has protected income (SS can't be attached) or is dead.

Ok also the certified mailing will run about $ 8.00. Best 8 spent! 
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Also you mentioned checking the Treasury dept site and its show's still valid. I'd go back to site and take a screen shot with your phone what a treasury dept site shows. Save it; print it. But do NOT include in the initial mailing. If TD gets back to you and insists $$$ owed, yada yada..... Then you do certified letter numero dos to whomever is the TD staff name on the letter and in this second letter include a copy of the screen shot, again state you did your due diligence to see all OK, AND bank did their due diligence and all OK; nothing filed by TD for probate & you consider thier position without merit. You CC the letter to the probate court judge; both your senators (they each will have a staffer for your region or county, & it gets addressed C/O'd to their name & they will do a follow up as Senators have pretty deep staff) & whomever banking is under for your state (like Atty Gen office). Personally unless you know actually your congressman or someone on thier staff or they are on banking committee, well I wouldn't bother with them, just too many of them.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Sorry to hear about all this confusion. Perhaps there is some administrative error somewhere. Maybe check with an attorney.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I agree with FF. Go to the US treasury official site and make an inquiry. This sounds like a scam.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

The bank would not have redeemed the bonds if they weren't valid. And what igloo572 said.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I'm not in the USA but when it comes to the government I have no doubt my comments apply. They are relentless. Even when they are wrong, they will make your life h*!! going after the resolution they want. I agree with cdnreader, seek legal advice.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Unfortunately I think they can and will come after that money. The treasury Dept has long fingers won't give up any money if they think it is theirs. Sad but true.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter