How to handle gift from deceased's account

Patty Neumeier

 We received a gift written on a check of a deceased person.  The son of the deceased signed it.  Whose record should it go in?

Jennifer Neer

Patty Neumeier:

 We received a gift written on a check of a deceased person.  The son of the deceased signed it.  Whose record should it go in?

I don't know if you can actually cash it unless he has the power of attorney. If the gift is part of a bequest, you might want to get that documentation as well. You could probably call the bank and verify that he is a signer on the account too...

JoAnn Strommen

Patty Neumeier:

 We received a gift written on a check of a deceased person.  The son of the deceased signed it.  Whose record should it go in?

Probably a pretty rare occuance and not one covered in procedures. [*-)]  Am guessing he/she passed away fairly recently?  It it was a long time ago, I'd look at it a bit differently.

I'd probably deposit it and leave it up to bank to let you know if he's not a signatory.  Would guess he is.  Have several elderly donors whose checks are signed by their child. Sometimes both names on check, some not.   Even have donors with spouse name still on check account that passed away many years ago. 

You could check if it's from the estate, but if check is not then it sounds like non-estate/personal donation to me.  It could be entered under either person.  I think I'd enter under the deceased constituent as it is his account.

Patty Neumeier

JoAnn Strommen:

Probably a pretty rare occuance and not one covered in procedures. [*-)]  Am guessing he/she passed away fairly recently?  It it was a long time ago, I'd look at it a bit differently.

I'd probably deposit it and leave it up to bank to let you know if he's not a signatory.  Would guess he is.  Have several elderly donors whose checks are signed by their child. Sometimes both names on check, some not.   Even have donors with spouse name still on check account that passed away many years ago. 

You could check if it's from the estate, but if check is not then it sounds like non-estate/personal donation to me.  It could be entered under either person.  I think I'd enter under the deceased constituent as it is his account.

 Thanks JoAnn.  That is exactly how we handled it.  Being a hospice, this isn't the first time this has happened, but I wanted to hear what others had to say on this topic.