Section 700.2703 - Protection of payors and other third parties.
ESTATES AND PROTECTED INDIVIDUALS CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 386 of 1998
700.2703 Protection of payors and other third parties.
Sec. 2703.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a payor or other third party is not liable for having made a payment or transferred an item of property or another benefit to a beneficiary designated in a governing instrument who, under section 2702, is not entitled to the payment or item of property, or for having taken another action in reliance on the beneficiary's apparent entitlement under the terms of the governing instrument. A payor or other third party is liable for a payment made or other action taken 3 or more business days after the payor or other third party actually receives written notice of a claimed lack of entitlement under section 2702. A payor or other third party is not obligated to inquire as to whether the 120-hour survival provision of section 2702 applies to any individual or to seek evidence regarding whether that provision applies to any individual. A recipient who incorrectly receives a payment, transfer of property, or other benefit is liable for the payment or transfer received, whether or not written notice of the claim is given.
(2) Written notice of a claimed lack of entitlement under subsection (1) must be mailed to the payor's or other third party's main office or home by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or served upon the payor or other third party in the same manner as a summons in a civil action. Notice to a sales representative of a payor or other third party does not constitute notice to the payor or other third party.
(3) The written notice under subsection (1) must include the decedent's name, the name of the person asserting an interest, the nature of the payment, item of property, or other benefit, and a statement that the beneficiary designated in the governing instrument did not survive the decedent by 120 hours. Notice in a form or service in a manner other than that described in this section does not impose liability on a payor or other third party for an action taken in accordance with a governing instrument.
(4) Upon receipt of written notice of a claimed lack of entitlement under section 2702, a payor or other third party may pay an amount owed to the county treasurer of the county of the court having jurisdiction of the probate proceedings relating to the decedent's estate, or if proceedings have not been commenced, to the county treasurer of the county of the decedent's residence. With a payment under this section, the payor or other third party shall file a copy of the written notice received by the payor or other third party. A payment made to the county treasurer discharges the payor or other third party from all claims for the value of amounts paid to the county treasurer.
(5) The county treasurer shall not charge a filing fee for a payment to the county treasurer under this section. The county treasurer shall hold the money in accordance with section 3917 and, upon the court's determination under section 2702, shall disburse the money in accordance with the determination.
(6) The provision for payment to the county treasurer under this section does not preclude a payor or other third party from taking another action authorized by law or the governing instrument.
History: 1998, Act 386, Eff. Apr. 1, 2000
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