After Mom passes, will her bank account be locked even if my name is on it?

It’s my understanding that when your name is on the account you’re a co-owner of it, owning it equally. But there are also many ways to do the wording on joint accounts so, depending on the wording, you may need more documentation such as a death certificate to empty and close the account. It’s better to discuss this with the bank now.

If you are a joint owner on a bank account....you are free to do whatever you like with it. You could empty and close the account at any time

It does not require a death certificate unless you are only on the account as POD (pay on death).

my Mom put me as joint owner on nearly all of her accounts, most of them didn’t allow a POD designation. I had to prove nothing to the bank after she passed. Except the bank accounts I learned about after she died, no bank even so much as questioned my rights.

Being joint owner of the account is not a good ideas according to our elder care attorney because it makes you, and your other assets, liable if your mom is sued. It is better to have POA on the account to protect to both parties as the same is true if you are sued...your mom's assets can be tapped.

It may depend on how the account is worded. I was on my Moms acct. Her name first, mine second. Only her money went into it. My name was there so I could pay her bills. I had no problem closing it out. I am under the impression, your name is on it its your money when she passes. But, I would check with the bank.

Seldel, you need to raise this question directly with one of the bankers to ensure that the wording on the account allows direct passage on death.   

It should be something to the effect of "Seldel's mother and Seldel, jointly  (or joint tenants) with rights of survivorship."   The survivorship wording is the key to allowing funds to pass directly to you on death.

I don't recall for sure whether the "joint tenant" wording was on our accounts.   But they were jointly held, and passed to me w/o any action whatever after my father died.

You should also ask the banker about liability in the event the funds are frozen for debts; it shouldn't extend beyond that joint account, but double check to be sure.

On my fathers acct his name was first and mine was under it and next to my name it says trustee. He just died recently and i had no problem closing the account.