Do joint accounts pass under a Will?
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Do joint accounts pass under a Will?
My aunt made me and another person as joint holders in her bank account and safety deposit box. She passed away last month. The person mentioned above, moved all the money in the account to his personal account without informing or consulting me as I had been appointed co-executor in my aunt’s Will, along with the same guy. The will has been rendered valid and all her assets pass under it. Do these joint accounts and safety deposit box pass under the Will? They were not in her sole name.
Asked on June 22, 2012 under Estate Planning, Pennsylvania
Answers:
Brad Micklin / The Micklin Law Group
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The joint account does not but the safety deposit box does pass under her will. A joint account does not because it has two owners and the other owner is entitled to inherit the property upon the passing. However, you may still be entitled to that money if your aunt remained on the account. However, if was just the two of you, you may have difficulty obtaining your one half of that account.
If your aunt remained on the account also, you can petition for at least one half of that account to be returned to the estate.
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