Client died, cheque bounced

[Elroy Blue]

My wife has a small business which she operates as a small trader. One of her clients dies recently owing her for 9hrs work. A few days later a cheque from the same person was returned by the bank as the account had been closed following her death. The sums aren't massive, but enough for her to take a monthly hit.

She's tried sending a letter to the deceased's daughter, but not had any response. We don't know who is the executor of the will, so are a bit stumped where to turn next. Any assistance appreciated.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Show some compassion & move on I'd say.

[bearman68]

Small claims court !!!!!!

Depending on how long it's been since you've written to the daughter, I'd consider writing to her again, and / or posting a letter to the house of the dead client - it will be picked up by the executors in due course.

[Elroy Blue]

We wouldn't go for the small claims court, but it would help if the daughter took the time to reply. Not being a powerfully built, company director, she just can't afford to write the money off.

[Eric Mc]

I presume there is an executor looking after the deceased's affairs. You would need to write to
o them.

[jeff m2]

The client died.....

Just be patient, the executor will pay her.

TBO if one checque throws your wife in a tizzy, maybe sole trader is not for her.

[Eric Mc]

Depends on how big the amount was.

[Rick101]

What work is it she does?

Was the death expected?

I could understand if she was doing legal work for a terminally Ill person, If she was just cleaning for an old dear that fell down the stairs I'd be thinking send a card.

[Patch1875]

I had this last year although it wasn't a bounced cheque, he died a couple of days after I did the work(didn't think the bill was that bad!) passed the invoice to the solicitor was paid about 3/4 months later once his estate was sorted.

[toohangry]

Elroy Blue said:

it would help if the daughter took the time to reply. Not being a powerfully built, company director, she just can't afford to write the money off.

A day's work and you're annoyed at poor daughter for not being in touch right away.

For christ's sake, just write it off you mercenary.

[PugwasHDJ80]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Show some compassion & move on I'd say.

Really?

I'd be mortified if I died tomorrow and none of my loved ones could ensure that all my responsibilities had been fulfilled, especially if I had written a cheque. It's not right that someone totally disconnected from me should be out of pocket because I'd died- it's not there fault!

[JJ55]

Depends on what the amount of money is. If it's for a lot it'll be sorted when the estate comes through though the daughter really should have responded to you. If it's not too much I would probably let it go or give a the family a little extra time to pay. I recently gave a month of my services free to a set of my clients when one of them had a brain anurism. A little kindness is not forgotten by people especially when they are going through something terrible.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

PugwasHDJ80 said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Show some compassion & move on I'd say.

Really?

I'd be mortified if I died tomorrow and none of my loved ones could ensure that all my responsibilities had been fulfilled, especially if I had written a cheque. It's not right that someone totally disconnected from me should be out of pocket because I'd died- it's not there fault!

9 hours work? I know I'd mark that off & go get a beer

[Eric Mc]

I wouldn't - but I would be a little less forceful than normal in chasing any unpaid amounts. Indeed, I would just ask (when appropriate) who the executor was and sort everything out through them.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I can see I'm in the minority on this one.

[Elroy Blue]

jeff m2 said:

.

TBO if one checque throws your wife in a tizzy, maybe sole trader is not for her.

If you'd like to point out anywhere in my post where I said my wife was 'in a tizzy', then do so. You can always guarantee on PH that 50% of replies are helpful and the other half are a complete waste of bandwidth. I'll let you guess which one I consider your reply to be.

toohangry said:

A day's work and you're annoyed at poor daughter for not being in touch right away.

For christ's sake, just write it off you mercenary.

And where has anybody mentioned 'right away'. If in doubt, make it up. It has been a number of weeks and the daughter hasn't been in touch with her mother for a number of years prior to her death.

Eric Mc said:

I wouldn't - but I would be a little less forceful than normal in chasing any unpaid amounts. Indeed, I would just ask (when appropriate) who the executor was and sort everything out through them.

Exactly Eric. 9hrs work PLUS a bounced cheque for a similar amount is a considerable part of her earnings. We haven't done anything other than the initial (respectful) contact with the daughter. As she hasn't replied, we're not quite sure how to go about finding out who the executor is. If we don't have any success then she will just write it off, but thanks for the constructive reply.

[Eric Mc]

Is the daughter the only contact?

[Simpo Two]

The Estate should pay the deceased debts. It doesn't matter if the debt is £10 or £10,000, or whether the deceased was nice or nasty, or whether the executor is slightly upset or very upset. It's a simple business transaction and should be done as part of due process.

[NDA]

PugwasHDJ80 said:

I'd be mortified if I died tomorrow

Yep.

[Elroy Blue]

Eric Mc said:

Is the daughter the only contact?

The only one we know of. There are no other family members in the area. We don't want to be bombarding the daughter with letters so have taken the 'sit and wait' approach.