Found an old saving bond
 

My mom passed over 8 years ago. I handled the estate. A couple years ago, I was going through some of her stuff and found a savings bond that her brother gave her when she retired. I found it long after the estate was settled. When she passed a lot of her stuff just got packed in boxes and ended up in the loft of my garage, I really didn't want to deal with it. The bond has now matured, and I tried to redeem it, but apparently I need a certified copy of the death certificate and the form that names me as executor of the estate. Never mind I gave the bank those exact documents when I set up the bank account for the estate, they say they don't have them any more and need new copies. Well, I don't have any anymore either, and to get copies of the documents from the county clerk will cost me $20 each, or $40 to redeem a $50 bond, which is apparently worth about $73. I'm debating whether it's even worth wasting any more of my time on this. I thought the bank should still have copies of the requested documents but I guess they dispose of them after 5 years.

If it was gonna be worth $74 I would go to a LOT of hassle ..... but not for just $73 .... that's just me.

I'd light a cigar with it...



...inside the bank.

Pay your income taxes with it.

Is the estate bank account still open ? Can you deposit the bond into the account ?

Did you have an attorney help you as executor? They may have a copy they can dig up for you.

As far as the local bank branch office is concerned. They don't want to be bothered with finding it. Call corporate HQ and complain and maybe they will magically be able to help you out.

Yup. Mess with them. $73 of entertainment.

No, I had a year to settle the estate and distribute everything, and settle any debts. Found the bond after the estate was closed out.

I did all the paperwork myself, no lawyer involved. Lots of trips to the courthouse. That's what makes me reluctant to go back, it's not fun.

I emailed the bank's "We Care" email. It's a big bank with lots of branches, and I don't particularly care for the latest manager at this branch, I've had to deal with her before and she is not pleasant to deal with. I suppose I could rage quit and move everything to another bank or credit union. But that would be more hassle than the courthouse, and if we end up moving in a couple of years I'll have to do that anyway.

If you have a certified copy of the final account or decree of distribution, you can send it to the Treasury with a filled-out FS Form 5394 and they will take care of it.

Info is here:
https://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/research/indepth/ebonds/res_e_bonds_eedeath_eecourtappointed.htm

I have one of these from my grandmother to me from the 1970's for $100.

It is not cashed it. It's worth more $$$ than I could imagine. It's got her handwriting. I keep it as a happy keepsake of her memory :)

What would happen if you donated it to a charity? Like how people can donate stocks to a church/school/etc. Would they have to fo through all this song and dance, too?

Go buy a $2 cigar .... light it using the $73 bond... put the cigar out....

Thank your mom for the $75 smoke and move on :D

There was a time when I was very much in favor of savings bonds. Given how long the maturity takes you may be better off making other investments unless you buy A LOT of them.

I framed the ones I found that my grandpa (passed in 1980) had purchased for my dad (passed in 2017 at 88) along with a small flag and military id info. Proud history of our support for our nation

I don't know...I have been advising my friends to buy I Series Bonds as part of a diversified portfolio. Inflation protected and you can never lose your original investment. Currently paying over 7%.

No state or local taxes when you cash in and no Federal taxes when you spend on education for spouse or dependents that year. To top that, you can do it all online. in just a few minutes. Right from the Treasury site. You can also gift them that way. The downside is that you are limited to $10K per year (up to $5K more from a tax return) and you can't cash it in for a year. If you keep it less than 5 years, there is a small penalty (A small portion of your interest). There is no need to wait for maturity unless you choose.