Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

The bank is not actually correct. If the estate is under $100,000, then someone who is an heir can execute an affidavit of small estate and request that the check be reissued to them. You must have a certified copy of the death certificate, and swear under oath that you are the only person entitled to receive payment, along with a few other sentences that would need to be in the document. If the estate is over $100k, including all property (cars, real estate, jewelry, etc.), then there is a probate required.