I have a customer that is the father of an old friend. For the entire time that he's been a customer his children have handled the payments. I have a credit card in his name on file that the daughter makes the payments on. I would just charge the card on the last day of every month.

Unfortunately, this good man passed away and I just don't know the etiquette of billing in this case. Simply continuing to charge a card in the decedent's name doesn't feel right. Sending an invoice at this trying time doesn't feel right.

What's the correct way to go about it?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark123,

Wait a week or two and contact the daughter directly?

The estate will likely settle any outstanding bills. Perhaps best to find the executor. If more personal, then the daughter might be best - follow your heart.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Wait a week or two and contact the daughter directly?

This. Give her a call after a week or two.

But I think it would be normal to still charge the credit card. If he has his cell phone, electric and other utilities paid by credit card, they are still going to charge the credit card unless notified by whoever is in charge. The grass still needs to be cut, just like the electric still needs to be on.

If he/they were as good of a customer as you have described, what about a couple visits "on the house"?

One thing to consider, as my brother and I saw it when our father passed away; the surviving family may suddenly turn and go against the deceased wishes.

In our case (my brother and I), our father asked us to take care of his wife (he married after we were in our 30's). My brother was already intimate with their finances as he was taking care of them for the last six months my dad was alive. He dies on a Tuesday, spreading of the ashes was on the next Friday. On the next Monday his wife had cleared out the bank accounts and there was a "For Sale" sign on the house.

All the above was more than in her right of course. But so much for taking care of her during the grieving period my dad was expecting and the assistance she was grateful to receive per the conversation she, my dad, my brother, and I had a few weeks before he died.

Thanks everyone.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
Give her a call after a week or two.

But I think it would be normal to still charge the credit card. If he has his cell phone, electric and other utilities paid by credit card, they are still going to charge the credit card unless notified by whoever is in charge. The grass still needs to be cut, just like the electric still needs to be on.

As others have suggested, wait a couple of weeks and call the daughter. I wouldn't continue to bill the card. The utility companies do so because they don't know the customer has died until they are notified, at which point an estate fiduciary or surviving spouse typically has authority to arrange payment. Additionally, you have a personal relationship with this family.

I’m sure you’ll come through smelling like a rose, Mark.

Besides the finance, there’s the human aspect that you can bring. Just a card or heartfelt “sorry for your loss “ would mean a lot to the family.

Because of your personal relationship with the family I’d absolutely send a condolences card, wait a couple weeks then approach the daughter. If you can swing it discount a mow or comp one. Be sure to inquire about continued upkeep of the property. They may not even be thinking of such at this time.

quote:

Originally posted by OMCHamlin:

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:
The estate will likely settle any outstanding bills. Perhaps best to find the executor. If more personal, then the daughter might be best - follow your heart.

In matters of business NEVER "follow your heart", for one thing, they will likely notify the bank (card issuer) and it will be shut down. Wait a week, maybe two, and contact the daughter. That's simple courtesy...

Interesting point - however I have to live with my actions and their consequences. Ymmv

quote:

Because of your personal relationship with the family I’d absolutely send a condolences card, wait a couple weeks then approach the daughter. If you can swing it discount a mow or comp one. Be sure to inquire about continued upkeep of the property. They may not even be thinking of such at this time.

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This for sure. Good idea.

Condolence cards were sent. One came back because forwarding expired but it had the new address on it. I re-addressed it and re-stamped it.

The daughter just replied today and cleared up the payment arrangements.

Thanks for the advice!

Executors have a job and they do it. They’re expecting these types of inquiries. Don’t wait too long as it’s easier for them to get things done when they’re in “executor mode.” If you wait too long they will have moved on and settled back into normal life and it’s actually kind of a pita for them.

Having been an executor twice before, I’d say a couple days after the funeral is the perfect time.

You won’t be bothering them.