Estate

[msmemory_archive]

- Emailed American Express to find out how one liquidates someone else's traveler's cheques.
- Phoned TIAA to request packet for closure of pension (and insurance?).

Comments

[hungrytiger]

Hmmm... how does one liquidate someone else's traveler's cheques?

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Don't know yet. I'm just crossing my fingers that they don't tell me I'm S.O.L. since Mother had a couple hundred dollars in unused ones. They were part of her emergency stash in her dresser drawer.

Presumably I show some paperwork to prove that I'm the executor and that she is dead, and then I will be allowed to deposit them in her estate account. We'll see whether this has to be done at an official American Express office (where??) or can just happen at Fleet/BOA.

[hungrytiger]

Ahh. Just idly wondering. As for where though, I can help you with that. Go to:

http://www134.americanexpress.com/travel/CTNWTServlet?request_type=tsodetail&action=4®ion=United+States+of+America&subRegion=MA

for a list of official Amex Travel offices in Massachusetts. There's a one in Harvard Square and a couple downtown. Click on the links provided for services available at each branch. There's also phone numbers listed so you might be able to talk to a local human rather than the central Amex phone bank.

I occassionally help with developing Ivy U travel policy and training, so Amex travel stuff is of passing interest to me. Hope that helps.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Yes, thanks! The Acton one is probably the most convenient office during business hours.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

The answer turns out to be: bring the cheques, a copy of the death certificate, and a copy of the form from the probate court certifying me as executrix, to the bank where the estate account is held. Remind the bank that they need to call American Express for an approval code. Sign and deposit.