Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Georgia

My grandmother recently passed leaving estate to three daughters equally. She had several CD's that have been being managed by one daughter even though all of the daughters were listed on the account. This daughter is now refusing to share any account info with the other sisters and according to bank representative looks like she may have cashed in some of the CD's and has changed ownership on the remaining ones. The only information the sisters have are the original account numbers on the CD's but since there has been a change of ownership, the bank will not help them out. How can the two other sisters get info on the current CD's or hold her accountable for any money she has taken.


Asked on 2/21/11, 9:12 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Glen Ashman Ashman Law Office also dba Glen Ashman Attorney

It's too bad that your grandmother didn't see a lawyer to properly plan her estate instead of messing up as she did.

When you create a joint account, any joint account holder can take out all the funds at any time. Joint accounts thus do not pass under a will, and if the one daughter got to the bank first, she could grab everything.

While there appears to be nothing you can do (based on the facts as you posted them), your post is a valuable reminder to others that they should see a lawyer and do proper estate planning.

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Answered on 2/21/11, 1:00 pm


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