I am eighteen and recieve survivor benifets from my father dieing and since i am 18 should the money be mine?

Answer 1

Should be yours, they are yours. When you receive survivor benefits, so do the other survivors such as brothers, sisters, and mother/father. You should contact the company/government office that issues the payments. If your parent is also receiving benefits yours should be placed in a trust for you. The benefits that your parent receives are to pay for your care (rent, food, electric, etc.) I'm not trying to start a war between you and your parent but this is why there are separate benefit checks. The parent usually receives a larger monthly payment. You should seek legal advice on this matter, but be careful. Don't appear to aggressive and destroy your relationship with your remaining parent/guardian. But it's important to keep track of your personal affairs. Remember, this money will not come in forever. One day it will stop coming. Take charge of it, if you are responsible. Do your best to hold on to it. Go to school, get a job, and keep your payments as your retirement. It's something that, if treated properly, will be able to make your life a lot more comfortable.

Answer 2

That depends. If your father specified how that was to be handled in his Last Will and Testament, he could have specified that the money was to be held in trust until you reached a certain age. Yes, it's usually 18 or 21, so you should try to get a hold of his Last Will and Testament or talk to the person who was named as his executor of estate (also called "personal representative" in some states) to find out if the will specified when you were to receive the money. If it was not specified, you should receive the money at age 18 unless the laws of your state specify a different age to receive survivor benefits.

Answer 3

As the mother of a 18 year old and two other teens, I know you want a cut and dried answer to that question. But in my honest opinion, it depends on how mature, responsible, and money smart you are as to whether you should have it or not. My son went through almost 2,000.00 of graduation money and has absolutely nothing to show for it, but he feels it was "his" because he was "18". Now the money was given to him, to help with his future....not to give him partying money for 1 month. I as a mother, a "fun sucker" know the money could have been well spent to further his adulthood journey,but he as a "18" year old would rather have just blown it. Until, however it was gone and then, man oh man did he feel bad. Its a sticky situation, a difficult question. I'm sure your mother wants you to have "your" money but doesn't want to see it thrown away.
Capish?

Answer 4

My children receievd survivor benefits because their father died. My youngest will be 17 and will continue to get them until she graduates high school, which will be when she is 18 years and 2 months.
Sure, you should get the benefits,, but then you should give your mom money for rent, food, your clothes, your utility use, for her cooking your meals, etc.
My kids would have ended up OWING me money.
Be greatful for the care your mom is giving you.
It is not easy for her to be a single mom!


ALl these folks who talk about a will....survivor benefits are GOVERNMENT given and have nothing to do with the deceased' wishes!

Answer 5

Yes, the $$ should be yours HOWEVER....are you still living with your Mother? My Father died when I was 15...my Mom was able to collect for us until the age of 18, and until 22 or 23 if we were in college. My point being, if you're referring to social security benefits they will stop at 18 unless you go onto college. If you're in college, you're usually still living at home. The amount is small and is to be used to house,feed and clothe you. Unless you're completely on your own going to college, do you really want to take that from your Mom? Just a thought. None of my siblings even thought about saying to my Mom, "Give me MY money" We were in it together, and taking that small amount of money will not support you, trust me.

Answer 6

Yes it should. I received benefits from my father's death when I was 14. When I turned 18 my mom signed the checks over to me, but I had to speak with her about it and tell her I thought it was unfair of her to keep them.

I'd like to point out that my mom could financially afford to give me the check. When the checks stopped when I was out of high school, I got a job and paid rent etc.

Answer 7

If you are not a full-time student, you should not be receiving benefits, and if you are, the benefits will stop on your 19th birthday. You should get ready for that great emancipating day instead of figuring out if you should get the money directly. You're being paid because you are a dependent, not on your own.

Answer 8

Well congrats! You can keep the money if you want to support yourself. Or ask her to keep the money put give her something for room and board remember your 18 now so Mommy no longer has to keep a roof over your head.

Answer 9

Yes, unless his wife or other children are entitled to a portion. Otherwise it's yours. In some cases you may have to wait until you are 21 to have full access to it, but there should be a person appointed in the meantime to watch over those funds on your behalf.

Answer 10

Same thing happened to me and I told my mom that the check should be mine and she agreed and handed me the check then told me now you can start paying rent and if you don't like it don't let the door hit you in the ***, dam I love that women for all the things that she taught me, so if I were you I wouldn't push the issue.