Class action suit check received....

[jujube]

I got a little treat in the mail Saturday......a check for $104 in settlement for a class action suit that, apparently, I was a member of. It's from somewhere back in the 1980's and 1990's where State Farm Insurance made people put off-market replacement parts on their cars after accidents. I had a couple of minor claims during that period (guy backed into me at a filling station and another rear-ended me at a stop), so I'm assuming it was one of those.

OK, that's good. Strange thing is that I also received the same check made out to my late husband (he had a small accident in 1992 as I recall). I have a call in to the information number on the paperwork to see what I'm supposed to do with THAT one. It would be nice if I got to cash BOTH of them, but...….

I'm always reading about class-action suits in John Grisham books, but this is the first one I've ever been part of. They're always a lot more interesting in the books...LOL.

 

[911]

Normally, all debts collected go to the Executor or the named heirs. I think the check may fit that criteria and you should be able to keep it, but it’s best to ask someone more knowledgeable about such laws. Maybe even your banker could guide you. Lawyers are expensive and would easily eat up the $104.00.

 

[Pepper]

Class actions are more to make a point than to attain monetary justice. If there are thousands and thousands of plaintiffs and a small group of lawyers, the lawyers take a third off the top and the rest is divided amongst the plaintiffs. Even if millions of dollars are involved it's usually only the attorneys who collect.