The bank freezes the account. You then take the death certificate and a copy of the Will to the bank. That Will should name you as the Executor. If you only have POA, no good, because POA ends at death.
Power of Attorney. Only used when person is still alive. The money in the bank goes to who ever is beneficiary on the account. If no beneficiary, then it goes to who ever was named in the will to get it. The executer has to bring death certificate and court letter to bank.
If anyone is listed on the account as having right of survivorship, then it goes directly to them upon the bank being presented with the death certificate.
If no one is so listed on the account, the bank normally creates an account called "the estate of " account when the executor presents the death certificate and the will which names them as the executor. From there any unpaid bills or funeral expenses are paid. Once all of the bills and funeral expenses have been paid, then the money is distributed as the will directs.
Well, it's actually not that easy. If the money is only in the deceased name, then it needs to go through probate. You need to probate the will and get letters testamentary for the executor/trix. Many banks will require an EIN to be set up for the estate. It is like a SSN for the account. Then the executor takes a death certificate, the letters testamentary, and all necessary identification to the bank. The bank will setup an estate account that will need to wait until the end of the probate period to be touched. Creditors can file claims against the account during that time.
All this sounds very complicated, but it is really easy... until the bank shreds all the paperwork and calls you to bring it in again. That happened to us twice for Wells Fargo. :( The probate period for us was 6 months. After that I transferred the money over into my mother's account... not at Wells Fargo. :)
If you only have POA, no good, because POA ends at death.
The money in the bank goes to who ever is beneficiary on the
account. If no beneficiary, then it goes to who ever was named in the will to get it. The executer has to bring death certificate and court letter to bank.
If no one is so listed on the account, the bank normally creates an account called "the estate of " account when the executor presents the death certificate and the will which names them as the executor. From there any unpaid bills or funeral expenses are paid. Once all of the bills and funeral expenses have been paid, then the money is distributed as the will directs.
All this sounds very complicated, but it is really easy... until the bank shreds all the paperwork and calls you to bring it in again. That happened to us twice for Wells Fargo. :( The probate period for us was 6 months. After that I transferred the money over into my mother's account... not at Wells Fargo. :)