When a South Florida woman’s father died, she took over managing his affairs. When she ran into trouble getting a deposit back from his landlord, she called Help Me Howard with Brandon Beyer.
Twyla Davis loves scrolling through pictures of her father Lawrence Mackey.
Twyla Davis: “He was the life of the family.”
An avid South Florida sports fan, it was a leg injury that sent him to the hospital 2 years ago.
Twyla Davis: “He had hip surgery and ended up in the hospital, and as a result of some other complications, he passed away.”
He was 87 years old. He’d lived a full life.
Still, he’s dearly missed.
Twyla Davis: “His death was unfortunate.”
As the oldest living sibling, it fell on Twyla to deal with his affairs.
She closed his accounts and emptied his apartment.
Twyla Davis: “A few months later I got a check in the mail from the apartment complex where he used to live.”
It was his security deposit. One-thousand four hundred and twenty-two dollars. Made payable to his estate.
Only Lawrence didn’t have an estate. So Twyla let the company know.
Twyla Davis: “And if they could make the check payable to me.”
When they didn’t, she went to probate court and was able to get an order stating the check was to be reissued in her name.
Twyla Davis: “It had my address and everything on it.”
Twyla returned the check along with the court’s order.
Twyla Davis: “A month or two later I received a check in the mail, same thing, made payable to the estate of Lawrence Mackey.”
She was right back where she started.
Twyla Davis: “It’s very frustrating for one, especially when the courts have ruled.”
But Twyla didn’t give up.
Interviewer: “Would your dad be proud of you for fighting?
Twyla Davis: “Oh absolutely, absolutely.”
Howard, she’s done all the right things, and she still can’t get her father’s deposit back.
Howard Finkelstein: “The landlord was right to issue a check in the name of the estate because if it was cashed by the wrong person, they could be held liable. But once Twyla had a court order stating the check should be written to her, they have to put her name on the check.”
We called the property management company and asked them to look into it.
A few days later, Twyla got what she was hoping for.
Twyla Davis: “Opened the mail on Monday evening and to my surprise there was a check in the mail.”
She finally had her father’s money.
Twyla Davis: “Ironically, the check was dated the day after you and I met.”
She didn’t give up. Dad would be proud.
Twyla Davis: “Thank you so much for what you all doing in the community and thank you so much for what you are doing for the people who need help.”
Howard says in this case the order actually protects both parties, helped Twyla get her father’s money, and it protects the landlord from having someone come forward saying the money is theirs.
Hey, got a problem and need a hand? Here’s how to find us below. It’s Help Me Howard. I’m Brandon Beyer, 7News.
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Reporter: Brandon Beyer at bbeyer@wsvn.com
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