Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Michigan
does a will superscede a beneficiary to a bank account?
Asked on 2/02/10, 7:11 pm
2 Answers from Attorneys
Sanford Mall, JD, CELA
Mall Malisow & Cooney, PC
No. The beneficiary designation controls who receives the asset when the owner dies. Not updating and confirming beneficiary designations is a common estate planning mistake. We always recommend reviewing and updating beneficiary designations to make sure that the intended beneficiary actually receives the asset. The same is true when planning with a Trust. Remember, even though the Will or Trust provides for something different, the title to an asset or the beneficiary designation will control who receives the asset when the owner dies.
Answered on 2/08/10, 5:53 am