Perkasie, PA asked in Estate Planning for Pennsylvania

Q: If I am listed on a relative’s bank account and I and that relative are PA residents, if I die what happens?

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
Answered

A: If by "listed" you mean that you have signed a Signature Card with the bank, then you currently have the power to write checks/make withdrawals.

However, if you are listed as a "joint, with right of survivorship", and you pass before the other on the account, your interest in the account is extinguished at the moment of death.

If you are not shown as "with right of survivorship", then your Executor accedes to your rights in whatever the bank balance is in the deposit account. However, keep in mind that the other account signator can withdraw funds from the account at any time.

A: it depends on how you are "listed". You can be an authorized signer or a POA, and in these cases there are no issues if you predecease your relative. On the other hand, you may be a joint owner of the account, which has different consequences for your "estate" depending on whether you are a joint owner with right of survivorship or a tenant in common.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.