What is the name of your state? NC
My problem is this. My father, who was receiving Social Security, died in May of 1996. When he died, my Mom started collecting widow's benefits. She passed away 5 months ago. I'm executrix of her "estate". Small amount of money in estate account, small house and small amount of household furnishings and all personal property willed to me alone. Opened the will Dec. 1st. On Jan. 6th, I received a notice from Social Security saying Mom had been overpaid by them since May of 1996 to the sum of $3,100.!!! She had NO idea of ANY overpayment and neither did I. I almost had a heart attack as I knew the only debts she had were medical. I immediately called the nearest S.S. office. The girl asked me if there was an estate. I said yes and told her how much was in the estate account but didn't get to tell her about the house/property. The amount she had in the bank wasn't enough to pay the overpayment and the girl said she'd take care of it, not to worry. I thought very little more about it and then in late March I received another notice from Social Security saying she was overpaid $3,800. instead of the previously stated amount of $3,100. and I had until April 1st to pay it. I have been to the S.S. office twice more with no results. I was told twice not to worry. Then came yet a third letter from S.S. giving me amounts that Mom SHOULD have been collecting and amounts that she WAS collecting dating from May of 1996 until she passed away. IF in fact, she was being overpaid, then why in the world wasn't this gross mistake found sooner? A LOT sooner?? Don't they audit their records and accounts?? She trusted THEM to send her the correct amount on her checks and then eventually by direct deposit! And each year, they sent her statements, saying how much more she'd be paid. I know because she saved all of them. Not one part of this is her fault or mine!! S.S. says if there's not enough in the estate, then I'm personally liable for the amount. My Mom went to her grave thinking she'd taken care of everything. Can they do this to me?? My husband receives S.S. Now I'm worried that if anything ever happens to him, they'll do this all over again!! How can they do this? Wait for almost 10 years before they spot a mistake or say anything. We're not talking weeks or months here, it's YEARS! I'm still in shock and needless to say, deeply worried. I'm not sleeping for worrying over this. I don't know what to do next. On my last visit to S.S., I said I thought I neeeded a lawyer. Do I??? Would it even help any or can they just demand money like that with no proof of their mistakes, etc.?? Thanks in advance.
My problem is this. My father, who was receiving Social Security, died in May of 1996. When he died, my Mom started collecting widow's benefits. She passed away 5 months ago. I'm executrix of her "estate". Small amount of money in estate account, small house and small amount of household furnishings and all personal property willed to me alone. Opened the will Dec. 1st. On Jan. 6th, I received a notice from Social Security saying Mom had been overpaid by them since May of 1996 to the sum of $3,100.!!! She had NO idea of ANY overpayment and neither did I. I almost had a heart attack as I knew the only debts she had were medical. I immediately called the nearest S.S. office. The girl asked me if there was an estate. I said yes and told her how much was in the estate account but didn't get to tell her about the house/property. The amount she had in the bank wasn't enough to pay the overpayment and the girl said she'd take care of it, not to worry. I thought very little more about it and then in late March I received another notice from Social Security saying she was overpaid $3,800. instead of the previously stated amount of $3,100. and I had until April 1st to pay it. I have been to the S.S. office twice more with no results. I was told twice not to worry. Then came yet a third letter from S.S. giving me amounts that Mom SHOULD have been collecting and amounts that she WAS collecting dating from May of 1996 until she passed away. IF in fact, she was being overpaid, then why in the world wasn't this gross mistake found sooner? A LOT sooner?? Don't they audit their records and accounts?? She trusted THEM to send her the correct amount on her checks and then eventually by direct deposit! And each year, they sent her statements, saying how much more she'd be paid. I know because she saved all of them. Not one part of this is her fault or mine!! S.S. says if there's not enough in the estate, then I'm personally liable for the amount. My Mom went to her grave thinking she'd taken care of everything. Can they do this to me?? My husband receives S.S. Now I'm worried that if anything ever happens to him, they'll do this all over again!! How can they do this? Wait for almost 10 years before they spot a mistake or say anything. We're not talking weeks or months here, it's YEARS! I'm still in shock and needless to say, deeply worried. I'm not sleeping for worrying over this. I don't know what to do next. On my last visit to S.S., I said I thought I neeeded a lawyer. Do I??? Would it even help any or can they just demand money like that with no proof of their mistakes, etc.?? Thanks in advance.
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