13 Nov Mom died and we sold her house. Can we keep her ANCHOR?

Q. Our mother died in August 2021, and I am the executor of her estate. My brothers and I inherited her home and we maintained it until its sale in April 2022. I received an ANCHOR info packet from the state in the name of “Estate of Mom’s Name,” and have downloaded an application from the New Jersey website. My question is whether her estate is eligible for ANCHOR because we paid the full property taxes for 2021?
— Beneficiary

A. We’re sorry to hear about your mom.

The dates are what matters here.

The current ANCHOR benefit is for the 2021 tax year.

“If you are an executor or surviving spouse/civil union partner, filing on behalf of an eligible homeowner who died on or after October 1, 2021, you must file a Special Circumstances Application,” the state’s website says.

“You will be able to attach supporting documents, such as the death certificate, with the application,” it said.

While your mom died before Oct. 1 of that year. If her estate owned the property through that date, the estate would get the benefit.

“If you file on behalf of an estate, we will issue the approved benefit in the name of the estate,” the state said. “You should speak to your bank and/or seek guidance from your attorney prior to closing the estate bank account.”

Given when you sold the house in April 2022, the estate would be not eligible for that payment because we expect 2022 to have the same Oct. 1 date requirement for that year.

Email your questions to .

This story was originally published in November 2024.

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.