Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

Condolences on your loss.

You will have to open an estate in order to do anything with the bank accounts. The law dictates what happens to your mother's estate if there was no will.

Unless you only recently were given the house by your mother, it is yours and not part of her estate.

The Register of Wills Office in the county where your mother resided will be able to give you the forms you need and start you on the way to administering the estate, but the Register of Wills does not give legal advice.

This response is not legal advice, since I do not have all of the information that would be required, and I do not have a representation agreement with you.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

* Another reason for contacting a lawyer is that it is often impossible to give a good answer in the Internet Q&A format without having more information. The unique circumstances of your situation and things that you may not have thought to mention in your question may completely change the answer. If you want to be sure that you have a complete answer to your question and an understanding of what that answer means, establish a connection with a lawyer who practices in the area of your concern.

In order to get the funds, the bank will only release them to the personal representative of your mother's estate. If the estate was very small, then you should use the procedure for small estates which will allow to collect the funds without going through formal probate. Did your mother have any claims that you know of? You should consult with an attorney who can more thoroughly review the assets and debts of your mother's estate and advise you as to whether probate will be necessary.