July 2023 Newsletter
Welcome to our July Newsletter!
Happy Independence Day!
Happy Independence Day! Here are some interesting Independence day facts that you may not have known:
- Despite being dated July 4th, congress actually voted for Independence on July 2, 1776
- John Adams recognized Independence Day on July 2, and turned down celebrations on the 4th in protest.
- The news of Independence was late for Americans. The ‘Pennsylvania Evening Post’ was the first paper to print about the Declaration on July 6, 1776. In some cases, it took months to spread throughout the colonies.
- Three Presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence died on July 4th. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826. James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.
Do You Or A Family Member Have Money Waiting For You?
In New York State, the Comptroller’s Office collects unclaimed funds from various organizations, including banks, insurance companies, corporations and courts. By law, these organizations are required to report dormant accounts to the comptroller office. Unclaimed funds can come from bank accounts, dividends, stocks, insurance benefits and estate proceeds. It’s possible that you have unclaimed funds waiting for you- and you don’t even know it!
To claim these funds, there is some information that you need to provide. We suggest that everyone go to: https://www.osc.state.ny.us/unclaimed-funds to see if there is money waiting for you.
The site won’t reveal how much money until you provide proof of identity or authority to act on someone else’s behalf (Power of Attorney, Appointment as a Trustee or executor, etc.) To recover unclaimed funds for an estate, the individual doing so must be appointed by the court to handle the estate. If there is no court appointed representative, then a claim can be submitted by a surviving spouse, blood relative or a creditor to attain unclaimed funds.
It’s important to check for unclaimed funds. If you aren’t aware of any unclaimed funds, there’s a chance that there is money waiting for you. In New York State, the comptroller’s office returns $1.5 million to those who file claims everyday. So far in 2023, $242 million dollars have been returned to individuals who have filed claims.
If you need our assistance in recovering unclaimed funds for a trust or an estate please contact us and we will be happy to assist you. How much money do you have waiting for you?
Sunny Days Cause Accidents
Believe it or not, nice summer days can cause car accidents. Why is this? There are a few reasons. The intense summer sun can interfere with a driver’s vision on the road, leading to possible collisions. It’s a good idea to wear sunglasses when driving on a sunny day. Additionally, there is a lot of commotion during the summer, especially on the roads. Everyone is out and about, and anxious to get to their favorite summer places. Whether it be going on a road trip or to the local beach, there is usually more traffic. Also, people can be easily distracted and take their eyes off the road- which leads to accidents. This summer, be mindful on the road of the potential causes of accidents and avoid them!
