WHERE MUSIC LISTENS TO YOU
Remembering Crashpryor
Remembering Crashpryor
Add To My Trusted Moggers

Please help get Chris's things to his Mama

Posted over 2 years ago
  • Artist:
    Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
  • Album:
    Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
  • Track:
    With A Little Help From My Friends
It's Micki again...I finally spoke with Chris' Mama... we shared our grief... it was sad but I like to think it was encouraging for both of us to be in this together. Now, there seems to be a problem... Chris lived and passed away in LA, and his mother lives on the East Coast. She told me I should take care of retrieving his things, most of all his writing. But I don't understand the legal side of it!!!Vanessa (glammerhammer) told me that Ms. Pryor Robinson will have to claim his things, since he didn't have a will. **Does anybody know how to go about this?** Time is kinda pressing, because the month is over, and his landlord might just throw his things out!!! There are people willing to help with physically getting his things (BIG LOVE TO DAVE AND GLAMMERHAMMER)... it's just the "how-to"...Please post or pm me any knowledge or info you might have that could help solving this problem... volunteers to help with the sad trip to Pasadena would be nice too... let's not get the state claim chris' writing and notes (and stuff)...Love and Peace,Micki
0

Comments (35)

  1. kat3260
    kat3260 says I'm glad to hear you spoke to Chris' mother...I would imagine that helped in some way. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the legalese is in these situations. I may be able to get some info from my bosses' attorney - I will let you know if I'm able to find anything out. Maybe ask MOG to put this post in the spotlight so more people will see it...there's gotta be some lawyers out there!
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  2. mickimicki
    mickimicki says Oh, good idea Katrina! Who do I apply to for the spotlight?
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  3. extraordinarypoems
    extraordinarypoems says I don't have the answer --- but I appreciate your post and the song.
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  4. kat3260
    kat3260 says In my experience Kate has been very helpful "http://mog.com/Kate":http://mog.com/Kate
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  5. mickimicki
    mickimicki says David is being helpful already... thanks kat for the suggestions on the other M :)
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  6. 2Serenity
    2Serenity says It was meant for me to come and help. I have been trying to find all of his writings online too. On the legal side, let me ask some of my friends. Did he have any children? If not, then everything automatically goes to his mother. I am actually going through the EXACT same issue of people not having a will. It is so crazy. Dang this really is divine that you came over to me, Micki. My Mom's friend passed away this summer and he had a will but then his sister was trying to deal with issues contesting the will. Unfortunately this guy's sister (our new friend) just dropped dead last week, and my family and I are just a mess over all of this. But since we are going through the same thing maybe whatever I learn I can share. I wrote up a post on my main blog about being an online person and not having people to retrieve information. The main thing in Chris's case is to find out of all the different online names he had that you knew about. Here is this thing called 43 folders.. http://www.43folders.com/ If we can organize his information in here then that would be helpful.
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  7. Anna
    Anna says I don't believe I can help, but best of luck and good vibes, my dear.
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  8. mickimicki
    mickimicki says Jennifer, it's mostly about the physical moving of the physical stuff... all his posts should be on his computers and the thing is, how do we get those computers from being dumped by Chris' landlord or some such... also he had lots of handwritten notes... you know his mom is in Richmond, VA, and Chris' place is in Pasadena, and she can't go and get it, neither emotionally nor financially... so we're trying to put together a way of getting the things to her. It would be great if you found out about the legal requirements, so that one of us can pick up his things at his place, as his mom's "emissary" - it's all fine with me if his stuff goes to his mom, no "contesting" or some such... forgive me if I'm repetitive... I'm confused al the time :P
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  9. mickimicki
    mickimicki says And Big Hug Anna...
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  10. SamTheButcher
    SamTheButcher says I'm sure PseudoCyborg/David or SatisfiedMind/Blair would be willing to help. I would've done whatever I could, had I know when I was out there. I'll link to this on Multiply to see if anyone in my circle has information. I'll cross-post that link here, too, as most of them don't have MOG accts.
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  11. SamTheButcher
    SamTheButcher says http://samthebutcher.multiply.com/journal/item/159/Micki_Needs_Help_Gathering_Crashs_Things
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  12. mickimicki
    mickimicki says Thanks Sam :) What do you say to a guy if you'd like to say "you're a doll"? Thanks sweetheart..
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  13. steve simon
    steve simon says wish i could help, bless his family
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  14. mktackabery
    mktackabery says ok from what I know: Mom has to grant limited power of attorney (POA) to the guys so they can remove items from Crash's apartment. Costs $10 from legal docs online here: https://www.legaldocs.com/poa-fnl1.aspx If she can't afford it Micki I will donate the $ for the POA and email, fax or FedEx it to her. She needs to sign it and get it notarized. She can usually find a notary at her bank or insurance agent who will do it for free. Then she needs to FedEx it to the guys. The guys can take it to Crash's landlord to get into his apartment and retrieve his stuff so they can't take it out. That should also let them learn about the state of his lease and stuff for his Mom - any outstanding legal stuff going on. She can revoke it later with this form which costs $6.75: https://www.legaldocs.com/rev_poaf1.aspx Michelle
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  15. mickimicki
    mickimicki says :) hope!
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  16. 2Serenity
    2Serenity says Does anyone know of Chris' offline friends?? Did he have a roommate? Who was on his lease? Was he a member of any organizations offline? [church, sporting, group?] I am thinking of people there who can be contacted to physically move his stuff. I have many lawyer friends in CA and I am trying to think who I know in Pasedena. I will reach out to them and see what they advise too. But, Michelle has given the best advice on the legal side. I will donate what I can too. His Mom is in Richmond, VA? Do you know where he went to college, high school? I am just reaching back to people who may know him and I can get word to them. I went to a historically black college and we have massive list serves so if I can reach out to where he went to school and people who may know someone that may be helpful. I will PM you later. Gotta run..
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  17. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says I'll be glad to lend a hand when I get back. I'll be out of town beginning tomorrow and will be back Monday night. I took Tuesday off work, so I'm also available then.
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  18. Dave
    Dave says MIcki, you already know I'm there to do everything I can. I don't know if it's right to turn this into a "MOG occasion" but as a practical chore, it might take more than one to sort his belongings into Keep (then divide between Mom & Micki), Donate, and Toss.
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  19. mickimicki
    mickimicki says I know, Dave.. my plea for volunteers kinda went under in the thread... Look, there's David already. I'm trying to contact people not on mog, too... unfortunately, I don't have contact info for most of his "non-line" friends. There might actually still people out there who don't know! (If this is not worth a mog occasion, albeit a sad one, then I don't know what is... I've pondered flying to LA myself, but I can't do it without ruining myself completely... at least not very soon :((( The positive side: Chris had really few things (well, material things). His life was all about "up there in the head" :)
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  20. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says Micki, I think that when there is no will a person's estate is put on hold by the state until it is decided who will take care of matters. I'm not sure what state dept. would deal with that though, but I'm sure the LA morgue would know something. Oh I just found the state of CA site on probate matters, you can check it out here: http://www.scselfservice.org/probate/prop/Propertyhome.htm and here: http://www.scselfservice.org/probate/prop/substitutes.htm . There's alot of info. there too. Also landlords are required to store tenant belongings for at least 30 days here in CA, once a tenant leaves. Not sure what the law is surrounding a tenant death but would imagine that it would be at least 30 days as well. The landlord could be sued by his family if they throw out anything. Also, I imagine Chris's rent had been paid(I'm assuming) since he seemed like a responsible guy so they. Btw, has anyone found out what Chris passed away of? Haven't heard anything as to the cause of his passing. I hope this isn't too sensitive of a question to be asking you. This is a drag that you are having to take this on, especially since his mother is IN this country & you aren't. Very kind of you to do this.
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  21. mickimicki
    mickimicki says Hi Augusts, (and all you sweet people who've been helpful) I'm gonna check those links out. Thanks for the info about the 30 days, that'll certainly help. I just spoke to his mom, today we were able to concentrate on "business" and it turns out things aren't so bad... she spoke to the landlord already so there's contact which is good. I'm gonna speak to him again to tell him things are being taken care of... (or threaten to sue. If he's not nice.) The bad news is, there's no death certificate yet. Takes time to send that damn thing from Cali to Virginia... (more bad news is, apparently Chris' wallet and whatever else he had on him when he died got lost somewhere in the process; the morgue claimed they only received the clothes... which is a joke because someone found Chris' ID to call his mother in the first place... what a shame). Anyway... dealing with this is the least I can do for him... the last service, they call it in German... and his mom, well she's not very rich and she hasn't travelled much... she's trying though. It's a good thing for me to be doing this with her...
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  22. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says Yvw for the info. it's the least I can do to help out. Well that's great news Micki that his mom is taking a more active role in this. I can imagine that this would be a healing thing for you to be able to help with Chris' affairs. Most police/emergency help aren't too careful w/people's personal property. They usually don't give a shit which is a shame. I used to work w/homeless mentally ill people years ago & when the police were involved in matters of personal property stuff usually got 'misplaced' or 'lost' so I'm not surprised Chris' wallet disappeared. At least someone bothered to used the ID to call. So no info on Chris' cause of death?
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  23. mickimicki
    mickimicki says Still not! Momma's still waiting for full autopsy report! (I dunno much about the real realities and I may just be paranoid but... I can't help thinking that the death of a young black male in LA is not a priority on the list of the authorities concerned. But whatever. Not gonna dwell on this anymore.)
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  24. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says That's so strange that there is no info. yet after this much time has passed. I would agree & don't think you're being paranoid about the realities of how young black males are treated. I'm sure it's a low priority to the authorities. It is a very real reality here in the US Micki, don't believe for a minute it is not. One of my best friends is african american & he has no vehicle so takes public transit or walks & he tells me how he gets stopped often by cops since he fits a general description- tall, bald, goatee, african american. I've actually been with him when a cop came up to him & two young black teens who asked him for a cigarette(I said to the cop, "Omg it's a gang", he didn't respond). The fact that 3 black men had congregated I'm sure made the cop think there was some drug deal going on, yet in that same square white kids congregate all the time w/o the cops bugging them. It's a bitch to be african american here in the states unless you're rich or famous.
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  25. mickimicki
    mickimicki says I've seen similar things in Germany... they're mostly trying to be o.k. though, over here... when I was in LA in spring, Chris and I were in a car accident, not our fault at all... the cops weren't too nice either, and only recently, Chris found out they had reported that Chris was driving without insurance, which had not been the case. Meant lots of unnecessary stress to get his drivers license renewed. (He doesn't need it now... if there's really a heaven, no more racism for him up there either)
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  26. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says That's pretty f'ed up that they did that, why would they do such a thing? It's beyond me! Cheers to you for being able to get beyond skin color, it really means so little yet too many people make it a big deal. Guess it's just a way to make themselves feel better about themselves. Unfortunate though. Hang in there Micki, your doing some good stuff on Chris' behalf. I'm sure he's smiling bigtime watching from wherever he is, knowing you loved him so much.
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  27. 2Serenity
    2Serenity says Hey, Micki..I blasted the situation on my list serves so hopefully someone will be in touch with you who may have known Chris there in California. You are doing a wonderful job. Hang in there. The only problem in storing Chris' belongings is whether or not it will be insured. What happens if any of this belonging are stolen or ruined in storage? If they are stored we just have to pray no one takes his belongings. Did Chris have a myspace page? If so, maybe going through that entire list of friends would help. later =)
    Permalink posted 11/01/2007
  28. christine g
    christine g says Big thumbs up and gratitude to MIcki and others offering to help in this situation. Crash and his mom certainly are thankful for all the support.
    Permalink posted 11/02/2007
  29. mickimicki
    mickimicki says Here's an update... everything should turn out o.k.: http://mog.com/mickimicki/blog_post/122155
    Permalink posted 11/02/2007
  30. glammerhammer
    glammerhammer says I have met Chris' college friends...and his place was small with no roommates...no pets or fish...He called his place a "cave" . He went there to write and sleep....there was not room for much else.......but the things he had were very important, because he had to pick and choose, not to take up space....there was barely room for my purse.....it was about enjoying the city......being on the outside near the palm trees.........to live and die in LA.....that's the dream......
    Permalink posted 11/02/2007
  31. mickimicki
    mickimicki says Vanessa, you're right, he picked and chose, but the thing is, he wanted to get out of LA. He'd had enough for now... wanted to see something else before he died! He was telling me he was already going through his things, deciding what to keep and what to ship... dammit he was about to start sending stuff over here... My place ain't no palace either, I remember thinking about where he'd put his things and where to fit a second writing table :((( It really hurts to think that he had to leave LA this way. Only good part, he didn't have to suffer I don't think so. I know when he felt the time came, he was glad he'd been doing "the right thing" with his life. And I'm somehow convinced that dying is peaceful... like falling into a wonderful sleep... (I hope! I hope!)
    Permalink posted 11/03/2007
  32. soultronica
    soultronica says Micki: I usually deal with copyright issues, and haven't dealt with trusts & estates since the dreaded bar exam. But from what I remember, here's some general info. 1. Unless there is a writing that says otherwise, Chris' mother probably serves as next of kin. This means she would have to decide how and where to take care of his belongings. I think also she would get the death certificate. Once she gets that, she would be able to assign you power of attorney for purposes of getting his belongings and otherwise closing Chris' estate. 2. This is *critically* important: His mother (or you, if she gives you power of attorney) must file a final tax return with the Internal Revenue Service. A summary of the instructions for doing that are here. The most important thing this does is begin the process of deactivating Chris' social security number from the federal system. For additional details, see About.com. Unfortunately, the social security numbers of deceased people are havens for all sorts of fraud. You also should file a final decedent's tax return with the State of California. Information on that is available here. 3. Assuming Chris had a California driver's license, you should contact the DMV office to cancel his driver's license. I couldn't find information on the Web site about how to do that; the link is to an information form and some contact telephone numbers. Condolences for your loss. P&L, Soultronica
    Permalink posted 11/03/2007
  33. mickimicki
    mickimicki says OUCH!!!! OK, I'm gonna go through this with Chris' mom... his paperwork will soon be on the way to her (in Virginia; hopefully...), and I'm planning on going there to see her soon. I have no idea how to do an American tax return, but I'm gonna talk some of Chris' old friends over there into helping out... maybe his momma even knows how to do it... The drivers licence issue is a funny one... one of the last things Chris did was trying to renew it, and it turned out some keystone cop deputy sheriff had reported Chris had been driving without insurance in an accident... which he hadn't (it was my rental car, and I even had insurance "de luxe")... the fucking licence is most likely still expired... but good to know we need to make sure of that... (I should fucking start frauding with his social security number... just kidding ;)
    Permalink posted 11/03/2007
  34. mickimicki
    mickimicki says soul, did I mention you're a dear? Peace & Love right back atcha.
    Permalink posted 11/03/2007
  35. glammerhammer
    glammerhammer says i respected the way he lived and the way anyone chooses....to live ....its all good....lucky it is easier in the end. I collect way too much SHIT....but it makes me happy...I have been getting rid of crap ever since moving here.......I learned a lot from his views...smart...I know he was ready to settle down and I knew he was talking about you......
    Permalink posted 11/03/2007

Comment on this Post

Login using email and password below.

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account?
Join MOG. It's Free!

Top Artist Radio

Top Albums

Top Songs

Top Artists From A to Z

Our Daily Picks

RSS

Featured Playlists

All Featured Playlists

© 2006-2010 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved