My parents both passed away in 2009. I am the executor/sole beneficiary of the estate. I filed their last individual tax forms for the year 2009 in 2010. I received refunds for both federal and state, but filed both refund checks away because I was waiting for my lawyer to confirm my appointment as executor. I was appointed executor by the court in late 2010 and have been dealing with final bills, house repairs, and other family medical issues.
I recently came across the checks, and as 90 days had already elapsed, they had expired. I had to get them reissued. However, the Massachusetts Treasury is refusing to issue a new check until I return to probate court and have my appointment re-certified and re-stamped, per their "regulations." It seems counter-productive to pay my lawyer more money than I will be receiving back so I was hoping someone might advise me 1) do I have to have it re-certified 2) how to go about this process and 3) how much I can expect to expend. Thank you in advance for any assistance you might be able to provide.