Thanks for the info..........my mom just passed away and has left everything 50/50 to me and my half sister, she thinks we can just go to the banks and get the cash and finish settling everything on our own...........there was a business and 4 properties involved and I am sure its not as easy as she thinks, with 3 other siblings who I'm pretty sure wont contest the issue, I was pretty sure the bank accounts had to be part of the probate process when it meant a substaintable amount to the estate. Thanks again!