Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

Why not just ask the bank? They have to know what to do.

{John}

Thank you for your question. If the decedent had a will, then the Executor would take care of closing the account and distributing the funds pursuant to the decedent's wishes as expressed in his/her will. If there was no will, then the Court would have to appoint an Administrator and he or she would take care of this and distribute the decedent's assets pursuant to Virginia's Intestacy law of succession.

ANDREA G. TILLIS

Why are you asking Pennsylvania attorneys about Virginia bank accounts? If the deceased lived in Virginia then you need to direct your question to a Virginia probate attorney. If the deceased had a will, then the executor in the will applies for probate. If there is no will, then next of kin (spouse or children usually) or anyone else can apply to be the administrator. If all there is was a bank account, most states have a small estate procedure that allows the personal representative (executor or administrator) to dispense with full blown probate, collect assets (like bank accounts), pay just debts and distribute whatever is left to the beneficiaries under the will or heirs under the intestacy law. The bank is just not going to give the funds to you unless you are a joint bank account holder.