Dead man or walkin' man?

[Roberts]

I'm not listed on that site. I think I'll have a good weekend afterall.

[Black Bart]

I'll fire off a certified letter Monday. I don't have an email address on him (not sure he's even got a computer).

On the upside:
I checked out Gene's link and there's no record of his death.
Tried ATG's tip -- Googled name and town; no obituaries popped up.

Downside:
Searched the online member's list of a small Good Samaritan outfit he helped run -- the website's dead as of last summer.


W.O.: Re: "testamentary letters"-- even if it's okay with a court, I'm not sure IRS would accept such (you know how they are) and I don't trust anything except POAs. I'll just cope when somebody turns up -- until then it goes to my "no-show" file (lots of company there).

Roberts: You've got more nerve than I do to check your name on Gene's "dead" list. Ever see that movie "Sixth Sense" where the psychic kid tells Bruce Willis that lots of dead people don't know they're dead? What if I turned up on that list? Talk about spoiling a weekend...

P.S. Sure is an unfortunate turn of events from my point of view (to say nothing of his if he's gone) because I was sentimental about this (the fee's $250).

[WhiteOleander]

Yes BB. But POAs are not valid after a person dies. If they show up with the Letters Testamentary, that means that the court has appointed them to be in charge of the deceased final affairs. The IRS requires a LT from the representative to be filed with the final return.

[SFBOB]

My not give the police a call in his town. They would likly be happy to pay him a friendly visit. He may be laying dead in his home. I have a client that was contacted after his brother had been dead on the living room floor for 30 days.Good Luck

[Black Bart]

My "dead man" is walkin' after all. This morning he phones, says he'll be here in 15 minutes, shows up, picks up, pays up, and leaves with the promise to return next year. Sighhh....all is right with the world again.

Why did he not come months ago? Quote: "I just never got around to it." What is that Occam's Razor proverb -- the simplest explanation is the most likely to be true?

And just when I had a new conspiracy theory too. He's complained about the fee for two years (it is a bit much), but pride and honor demand that I not cut it to a reasonable amount. I figured he ordered duplicate 1099's, then shopped around, and had the dirty, rotten, low-down, inexcrupulous rat (whoever) do it cheaper.

The deep-seated faith I hold for my fellow man/woman/rat has now been completely restored -- I promise never to say another disparaging word about clients until the next one gouges me.

[ChEAr$]

I had/have a client (not sure about status as you will see) who always came in every third year to have those past three returns done. After all, she always got refunds, so what's the big deal?

Last time was in 2008 (for years 2005,6 and 7). By 2006 however, the daughter had done
flown the coop, so she owed a little for 2006 and a lot more for 2007. So I advised her to
come in on time from now on, but didn't see her (again) this year.

[Black Bart]

Originally Posted by WhiteOleander

Yes BB. But POAs are not valid after a person dies. If they show up with the Letters Testamentary, that means that the court has appointed them to be in charge of the deceased final affairs. The IRS requires a LT from the representative to be filed with the final return.

and here I didn't know a thing about this. I have a POA for my wife after I check out, but now you've undermined my whole game plan -- if it's no good and I can't get an LT 'til I'm dead, what to do?

Guess I'll have to go pay that lawyer after all instead of my DIY approach. Kinda like homemade taxes, ain't it? I'll bet you could lose the farm tryin' to save a few bucks on professional help.

Thanks, W.O.

And thanks for the story, Harlan. I see my clients aren't the only crazy ones.