Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York
Access Bank Accounts after Death
Our father is ill and may die soon.
He wants my brother and I to become joint owners of his bank account.
What exactly do we have to do in order to have access to the funds after he dies without going through probate?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Access Bank Accounts after Death
I agree with Tony that all that is required is a change to the account ownership records. You do not say if your father cannot can handle this due to his illness, as the bank may want to see him in person sign the forms. If this cannot be done at home, and can only be done at the bank, you may need a Power of Attorney for your father, on a form acceptable to the bank, which will probably need to be notarized. They can provide the form and instructions.
Re: Access Bank Accounts after Death
Go to the bank and get their forms for change your father's account to a joint account (or In Trust For account, Totten Trust account, or Pay-on-Death account, they're all similar). Complete the forms according to the Bank's instructions. This will only avoid probate for that particular account, and none of your father's other assets.
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