Canthe stateor the federal government take my inheritance?
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Canthe stateor the federal government take my inheritance?
I lived in CT up until a few months ago and have been off of CT welfare for about a year. My father is preparing a Will. If I receive an inheritance, can CT take my inheritance to pay back benefits, even if I have not lived in that state for a long time? Can the federal government demand repayment? Does repayment of welfare benefits depend on the origin of the income or the final destination?
Asked on February 14, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Arkansas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Where you live now has no bearing on the ability of creditors--including government agencies looking to recover over- or improper payment of benefits--to seek recovery or sue you. If you owe a person, business, or government money, they can take action to collect it regardless of which state you are currently in. Of course, where you are located may influence where they file a law suit or the procedures and remedies available--for example, there is no wage garnishment in 2 or 3 states, like Texas--but in principal, if you owe money, your creditors can go after you.
However, the better question is: do you owe money? If you were paid the correct amounts in government benefits at that time, you should not have to repay them now.
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