Legal Question in Banking Law in New York

Re: Do I have to give the money back?

Did your husband have a will?

Was the account noted in the will to be divided between you and his daughter?

Was she on the account as a beneficiary or for his convenience due to his health and other reasons?

These are some of the issues that will be dealt with when you determine if you should give the money back.

On the other hand, the bank can't force you to do anything. They are not an enforcer of ones legal rights and can only act, in this instance, on the instructions of the courts and or the owners of the accounts.

So if you acted in accordance with instructions in your husbands will, you have an affirmative defense that you can raise if his daughter decides to act.