FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Testamentary Disposition?
A Testamentary Disposition (TD) is a stock will. This
TD ensures that the transfer of your shares will be
made according to YOUR wishes upon your death. It is
located on the back of the stock certificate. All you
need do is list the name(s) of the person(s) you want
to receive your shares, put their address and the number
of shares you want each person to receive. This number
must equal your total number of shares. Then
you MUST take the form and sign it in the PRESENCE of
a NOTARY PUBLIC for it to be legal. Many shareholders
return the stock back to the corporation and we place
it in your shareholder file for safekeeping, or they
let a family member know its location. ALL STOCK CERTIFICATES
ARE PROPERTY OF THE CORPORATION AND MUST BE RETURNED
UPON OUR DEATH.
What happens when someone in the family dies,
leaving stock in The 13th Regional Corporation?
The first step is to notify the corporation that the
family member is deceased. You or someone in the family
will be sent a set of transfer documents to being the
process. The corporation can not begin the transfer
without a death certificate. You can obtain a death
certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics or from
the funeral home. Next, we need the ORIGINAL
stock certificate returned to the corporation. If the
deceased member completed his Testamentary Disposition
(which is on the back of the stock certificate) then
the shares will be transferred in accordance with that
document. Our stock certificates MUST
be returned to the corporation upon our death. If the
shareholder also left a will, a copy of the will is
requested and lastly, we need information on the new
heirs so we can complete the transfer and create new
files for the heirs. This form is in the set of documents
that we mail out and we need names, addresses, date
of birth, social security/social insurance numbers and
tribal information. This form must be signed with a
notary public. When we complete the transfer, we send
a welcome packet to the heirs and a stock certificate.
If a formal will was kept, we transfer the stock according
to those wishes.
What happens if the family member did have
stock in The 13th Regional Corporation, but did not
have a Testamentary Disposition or formal will?
Unfortunately, this happens way too often and if these
documents are not complete, we must follow Alaska Intestate
Succession Law that designates the order of succession
for the shares. Even if all family members ‘knew’
that Mom, or Grandma or Dad wanted ‘so and so’
to receive the shares, our hands are tied. The order
of succession is as follows:
- The spouse will receive 100% if there are no children.
If there are
children, the spouse will receive 50% and the children
split the remaining
50% of the shares.
- If the shareholder was not married and had no children,
then the parents
(if alive) would split the shares between them.
- If parents are deceased, brothers and sisters would
inherit the shares
equally, if one or more of the siblings are deceased,
his/her children
would inherit the portion that was d esignated for
that sibling.
Does The 13th Region have a death benefit program
for its shareholders?
Yes, it was placed into effect in April 1999. It is
for our original shareholders. Upon receipt of a death
certificate and the proper transfer documents we will
issue a check for $100 to the family to assist with
funeral/burial expenses. Each year the amount will be
reviewed and as our income level grows the board may
increase the amount. This payment is ONLY for original
shareholders that have passed away after April 1999.
How do I notify the Corporation of my new address?
Address changes must be done in writing. In most issues
of the newsletter we put an address change form on the
outside cover, but you can write, fax, email or come
in person to change your address. The easiest way to
update your address is to use the postal address kit
from the post office. Send us a post card and we will
update your address.
What is the procedure for having my name changed
with the Corporation?
Before any name change is processed into our database,
we must have legal documents showing the change. A copy
of the document (divorce decree or marriage certificate)
is all we need. Once we receive the legal document,
we will change your files, void your old stock certificate
and reissue the stock. We will also send you a new ID
card. When you see your name listed as such: Suzy Lane
(Villegas) the part in () means we do not have legal
documents to change your files.
What do I do if I lost my stock certificate?
An affidavit for Lost Stock Form is available from
this site or contact Shareholder Relations and we will
send you an affidavit to sign, in front of a notary
public. Upon receipt of the form, we will void your
old certificate and re-issue your stock certificate.
If you ever do come upon the old certificate, please
mail it to us at the office. We will place it in your
shareholder file.
Am I eligible to apply for scholarships, and
how do I got about it?
Yes, original shareholders and their
direct blood descendants are eligible
to apply for scholarship funds. The 13th Regional Heritage
Foundation was established in 1999 and we award scholarships,
depending on availability of funds. Scholarships are
for:
- Undergraduate studies (2 and 4 year accredited
schools);
- Vocational schools and;
- Graduate studies.
Each year, after January 2nd the scholarship application
is available on this website, to be downloaded, or you
can call 206.575.6229 and request an application. Applicants
are competing for the funds against other 13th regional
shareholders. Applications MUST be
postmarked by the deadline for each of the two applications
periods. You may only apply for one of the two application
periods. . Faxed copies are ONLY accepted (to
meet the deadline) if a hard copy is also mailed
by the due date. Read the instructions
carefully so you meet all the requirements. Some of
which are:
- Alaska Native enrolled member of The 13th Regional
Corporation or
direct blood descendant
- Accepted to one of the three types of programs listed
above
- Complete all sections of the scholarship application
- Include two (2) letters of recommendation
- Include a essay with application
The Scholarship Panel will review your application
for completeness, and rate your application. The three-member
panel selects the awardees; their decision is final.
The panel is comprised of shareholders with some type
of education or professional background. If you would
like to volunteer for the panel, contact Suzy at 206.575.6229.
Alaska Natives, those with 1/4th degree Alaska Native
blood are eligible to apply for MANY different types
of scholarships, but some are available if you can show
you lineage of an enrolled native. The most important
tool for looking is the World Wide Web (Internet). Each
individual should create a FREE electronic
mailbox via this address: www.fastweb.com.
You complete the application with information about
your education goals, income, and ethnicity and once
you create your FREE mailbox scholarships
that match what you provided POP into
your mailbox (much like a post office box) so check
it frequently. You then write to those organizations
for a scholarship application. You can also go to the
library and browse this reference book: The Financial
Directory of Aids for Minorities. You can not check
out this book, so bring paper and pen, it has an entire
section for Native Americans.
For graduate students looking for funds can apply to
the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for one of
five (5) scholarships available. Contact Suzy at extension
102 for an application.
Another source of funds for Alaska Natives is the other
regional and village corporations. If you or a parent
have inherited shares in one of the other regions, you
can apply for scholarships funding through them. If
you have a question about this, contact Suzy at 206.575.6229
extension 102.
|
