01 Jan Can a dead person’s ANCHOR be reissued in heirs’ names?

Q. Both my wife’s parents are now deceased. Her mom passed away in October of this year. She received the ANCHOR check in her mom’s mail which is made payable to both her parents. She has a will in which both her and her brother are the beneficiaries. The home is still in their possession and there are no plans on selling it at this time. We assume they, as beneficiaries, are entitled to the refund for taxes paid to date. Can a check be reissued to them in their names?
— Trying to help

A. We’re sorry to hear about your wife’s parents.

The state won’t reissue the check in the names of your wife and her brother.

That’s because the benefit that was paid out is for the 2021 tax year, which depends on the recipient being eligible for that year’s payment. It would rightly go to your mother-in-law, and depending on when your father-in-law died, it could rightly go to him, too.

But they don’t need to send back the check.

It can be deposited into an account in the name of your mother-in-law’s estate. If one was not established after her death, your wife — or whoever was named the executor or administrator of the estate — should visit a bank and open an account. Then, the funds can be deposited and at some point, split per the will.

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This story was originally published in January 2025.

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.