RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (Full Version)

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dcnovice -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 7:59:19 PM)

Another option would be that Uncle Sam cuts a certified check and sends it registered mail to the next of kin. S/he goes to the post office, produces ID, and picks it up. In theory, it wouldn't require a waiting period to clear.



TheHeretic -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 8:01:23 PM)

       The standard is for the family to recieve the initial death benefit within 24 hours.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blcasualty.htm

        The checks are good.  I think this is something better dealt with by streamlining a confirmation process for the banks.



dcnovice -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 8:05:46 PM)

Maybe a fax number where the bank can send the check and receive confirmation?



slvemike4u -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 8:07:48 PM)

I know this much.or at least i beleive this much the Armed forces have made great strides since the early 60's when death notifications came via Western Union Telegraph...who would than hire a local taxi to drive the telegram from the Telegraph office out to the on base dependents housing area.The sight of a taxi with no passenger would send the soldier's wives into panic has they all preyed it would not stop at their house,a truly heartless sytem indeed...



CassandraAlexis -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 8:08:06 PM)

I'm sorry, I am really confused by the article. Sounds like some reporter wanted to get the story out before all the details are ready. Yes, the military has funds available to the family immediately. Military members are given the opportunity to have a grave in a federal cemetary free (or at least the ones I worked on were, but things might have changed as space becomes an issue) . The military provides a lot of the funeral items as part of the life insurance/berievment package that is automatic to military members.

I work in law and it is VERY common for me to send an estate right to the Court the same week as I get the death certificate from the county or funeral home.Even though there are filing fees,  we pay them and bill the client in the end, and they are under $700 for even the biggest estate right off the bat, and I doubt the decedent was a millionaire. I often have them through the Court and filed before the funeral bill is paid off. I know that because I have to give the court an affidavit 6 months after the Letters are issued to the executor telling the court the cost of the funeral or an affidavit from the funeral director telling me how much it is and how much i still outstanding.  I have some files with funeral bills still open YEARS after a person is in the ground.

So, this family needing that much money PERSONALLY that quick seems a bit fishy. I know with banks around here, if you have that much, they are willin to issue you small amounts quicker. So if I need 100,000,  They will give me 5,000 on day 3, 10,000 on day 8 and the remaining balance on day 10.

I am leaning to the side of  the reporter didnt get the whole story, just because I hate to think a family would use a death to act wrongfully.



TheHeretic -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 8:17:31 PM)

        Honestly, DC, now that I'm thinking on this a bit, is a hold on the check such a bad thing?  The immediate arrival is certainly a blessing for many who at least don't need to worry about the bills for a little while.  Beyond that, in the grief, isn't a bit of delay a kindness? 

      $100,000 is both a lot of money, and not very much money at all.  A 'cooling off' period seems like a good idea.  It obviously wasn't taken that way in this case.



dcnovice -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 8:18:16 PM)

Slightly more detailed article in San Jose Mercury News.

A few notes:

(a) Retmier was the 500th Californian casualty, so his death got a bit of coverage. It would have been hard to fake all that.

(b) A military recruiter asked the bank to call the military and confirm the check, but the bank refused.

(c) As a credit union member, I'm proud to say that a credit union came through for the family.



dcnovice -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 8:23:35 PM)

quote:

Honestly, DC, now that I'm thinking on this a bit, is a hold on the check such a bad thing?  The immediate arrival is certainly a blessing for many who at least don't need to worry about the bills for a little while.  Beyond that, in the grief, isn't a bit of delay a kindness? 


To be equally honest, I don't know. I've never had to orchestrate a funeral, so I don't know the details of how and when everything gets paid for. I would think having to worry about that because of the banks 10-day policy simply adds stress to an already excruciating time. It might also depend on whether the next of kin is a wife/mother who has a mortgage to pay and kids to feed and honestly does need the money as quickly as possible.



TheHeretic -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 8:30:45 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnovice

It might also depend on whether the next of kin is a wife/mother who has a mortgage to pay and kids to feed and honestly does need the money as quickly as possible.



         This isn't the only money coming, DC.  All pay and allowances due are immediately paid by a seperate check.  That one might amount to a triple paycheck, and should clear immediately. 



TheHeretic -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (7/31/2008 8:47:11 PM)

      Thanks for the link to the updated story, DC.   Funny.  The first source I got on this had the dates all screwed up, but the timeline of a week from death, to services at home, was still accurate.



farglebargle -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (8/1/2008 2:24:51 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hisannabelle

quote:

banks verify checks the same way without regard to the purpose the money will be used for.


exactly. their banking history doesn't matter, nor does the situation, really. although the policy isn't exactly set in stone - i mean, as i said before, they could have spared someone to make the necessary phone calls and have the check released earlier. but this is pretty standard policy for most banks ime.



After 9/11, one of the things which changes was the adoption of "Check21".

Checks clear electronically overnight now. There is no reason for a bank to hold onto the funds except to artificially inflate their holdings. Of course, since the float is gone in processing the checks, this is the only way to take advantage of the process of cashing checks, so it's a policy which won't be changing anytime in the near future.



thishereboi -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (8/1/2008 4:33:27 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

Bullshit. But what would you know? You don't know me.


Your right, I don't know you. So all I can judge you on, is the content of your posts. And going by those, I stand by what I said.



slaveboyforyou -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (8/1/2008 5:15:02 AM)

quote:

Your right, I don't know you. So all I can judge you on, is the content of your posts. And going by those, I stand by what I said.


I suppose we can judge you by the same standard.  After all, aren't prejudgments always accurate?  [8|]

From the posts you've made, I think you need to learn how to be more patient with people.  Upon first meeting, most people irritate me.  But I've learned to give strangers the benefit of the doubt.  It's better to be open-minded, tolerant, and patient with folks.  You might want to try that. 



thishereboi -> RE: Bank Refuses To Cash Gov't Checks For Afghanistan KIA Funeral (8/1/2008 5:28:19 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

quote:

Your right, I don't know you. So all I can judge you on, is the content of your posts. And going by those, I stand by what I said.


I suppose we can judge you by the same standard. 
Yup

After all, aren't prejudgments always accurate?  [8|]
Not in my experience.


From the posts you've made, I think you need to learn how to be more patient with people.  Upon first meeting, most people irritate me.  But I've learned to give strangers the benefit of the doubt.  It's better to be open-minded, tolerant, and patient with folks.  You might want to try that. 
I will, thanks



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