Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Showing Diligence and Preventing Scams

As executor of his mom’s probate estate, Jack must send notices to his mom’s creditors.  Last week, he ordered his mom’s credit reports to make sure he knew about all her accounts. 

Plus, it allowed him to check whether any new accounts were opened in her name since her death.  Unfortunately, identity theft is no longer uncommon even after death.  Some thieves check the obituaries in hopes of finding easier targets.

Jack initially asked for the credit reports by doing what we recommend families do anyway.  He sent letters to each of the three credit bureaus that informed them of his mom’s death and enclosed her death certificate.  The bureaus are then required to flag her file, which should make it so that no more credit would be extended in her name.  Plus, any bureau that verifies such a death is supposed to also notify the other two bureaus.

Having copies of his mom’s credit report will also make it easier to confirm for the court that Jack made a suitably diligent search to find all of his mom’s actual creditors when the time comes to close the probate case.

Some probate requirements are obvious from reading Illinois’ probate statutes.  Sometimes, there is more to it than meets the eye.  For help taking care of matters after a loved one’s death or to minimize complications for your family after your own death, call our office at (815) 436-1996 for an appointment.  © 2013 Gruber Law Office, Ltd.


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