Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

Re: estate/pa

Dear Madam:

If, as you say, all of your accounts were titled jointly in both your and your late husband's names, you shouldn't need either a Short Certificate or an estate bank account to change the accounts to your name alone.

A Short Certificate is a document that you would receive from your local county Register of Wills Office upon formally opening or probating your late husband's estate. It essentially evidences your appointment as Executrix of the estate. You would only need to formally open his estate if, at the time of his death, he owned assets such as property or bank accounts that were titled in his name alone. Likewise, you would only need to open an estate bank account if you were also going to have to formally probate his estate.

If all your bank accounts were titled jointly, you really don't need anything at all to re-title the accounts. However, it would probably be a good idea to bring at least his Death Certificate with you. If I can be of any further help, please feel free to contact me directly either through my website at www.americanwillsandestates.com or at [email protected]. Thanks.

Lloyd A. Welling, Esq.