Is it legal for my brother to receive and spend my father’s SSI and pension payments made after my father died?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Is it legal for my brother to receive and spend my father’s SSI and pension payments made after my father died?

My brother, who is not executor, received a SSI check for $1,360 and 2 union pension checks in the amount of $924 each; he somehow ended up in possession of my father’s checking account after he died. He has spent the money. Is this legal or is he responsible to pay that money back?

Asked on March 2, 2012 under Estate Planning, Massachusetts

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

I am so sorry for your loss.  What you brother did was not legal and he could get in big trouble.  Aside from the issue of owing the estate money, there is the issue of the ss check which may be owed back to the government depending on when your dad died.  Please seek help here.  You need to find out how his pensions works too.  Good luck.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption