How are Inheritance Checks Mailed in New York City

Inheritance checks are usually mailed through certified mail to ensure the heirs or beneficiaries receive the check. Certified mail provides proof of mailing, tracking and recording, and delivery confirmation through recipient’s signature, and a return receipt. These extra safeguarding measures allow the inheritance check to be delivered safely to the recipient.

Receipt, Release, and Waiver

Executors, administrators or trustees do not mail inheritance checks unless and until the heir or beneficiary signs a receipt, release, and waiver agreement. This agreement states that the beneficiary agrees with the accounting submitted by the executor, administrator or trustee, and discharges said fiduciary from further liability.

Sometimes, there are objections to the fiduciary’s accounting which makes the termination of the estate more complicated. In these cases, inheritance checks are then personally given to the beneficiary simultaneously with the beneficiary’s execution of the receipt, release, and waiver.

Procedure for Mailing

The procedure for mailing of an inheritance check is straightforward. Once the heir or beneficiary signs the release, receipt, and waiver, the lawyer for the executor, administrator or beneficiary will have no issues regarding the mailing of the inheritance check.

The address of the heir or beneficiary is verified to make sure the inheritance check is mailed to the correct place. The check is prepared and printed with the beneficiary’s name, the amount of the inheritance, and the payer’s information, together with the check’s unique identification number.

The check is placed in a secure envelope to protect its contents and mailed through certified mail to ensure that the inheritance check can be tracked and its delivery confirmed. Once received, the the heir or beneficiary can deposit the check or encash it.

Inheritance checks may be mailed for as long as the heir or beneficiary signs the receipt, release, and waiver agreement. If the fiduciary or fiduciary’s lawyer refuses to mail the inheritance check, you can discuss with the lawyer the reasons for non-mailing and negotiate on how you can address these reasons. What is most important for a fiduciary is not the mailing of the inheritance check, but the signing of the receipt, release, and waiver agreement.

Should you need assistance in the termination of an estate, we at the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin are here for you. We have offices in New York City, Brooklyn, NY and Queens, NY. You can call us at 212-233-1233 or send us an email at [email protected].