[ChristopherJohnson]

Here's my story: My father passed away August 30, 2007. He had no life insurance, no assets except for a checking account. Of his five children, I was the only one that showed up to claim his body from the hospital. I had to deal with the burial arrangements alone. He was living with a woman that I did not know and did not trust. Since there was no insurance to take care of his final expenses, I confiscated his debit card and withdrew a little over $900 from his checking account. I also did this so this woman would not take it. All seemed well. My Dad was buried with no ceremony and only me standing at the grave site.
Yesterday (January 22), I received a letter from the bank stating that the US Government had issued a reclamation order for the money that was withdrawn. This, as they stated, was an automatic deposit made to his account. I assume this was social security. They have demanded that I send them a check for this amount or they will turn it over to a collection agency and report me to "ChexSystems, Inc."
I was not aware that this money was deposited after his death by the SSA. As is his legacy, I do not have this amount of funds readily available. What are my choices? Do I have to pay? If I don't, what are the reprocusions, if any? Please... HELP!

Chris

[Fr_Chuck]

Just answer them saying that his estate has not been to probate yet, and that you are not over that account.? Is it a joing account with the women he was living with? If so give them her name and address and ask they contact her about it.

** also if this was a joint account with both names, once your dad died all the money in that account was her money, and you basically stole the money by using your fathers atm card. ** I would be a lot more worried about that, than the social security check.