Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois
Are all beneficiaries of bank accounts 'payable on death', or must it be explicitly stated "payable on death" or "POD" on the beneficiary form?
Asked on 11/14/12, 1:16 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Virginia Prihoda
Law Offices of Virginia Prihoda
Bank accounts are governed by the account agreements under which they are established. There is language on the signature card or some other paperwork which will address what form of ownership jointly titled accounts are held. POD or TOD accounts are a special form of title to bank accounts which confer no present rights to the account for any of the POD beneficiaries until the death of the account holder. An account is not a POD account unless there is specific language creating the POD designation.
Answered on 11/14/12, 2:41 pm