Taking care of deceased bank accounts

[Bandisas]

What is the name of your state?California. Hi. My mother passed 3 days ago and I am the trustee in her will. I am unsure of how to go about claiming what’s in her bank account. She did her banking online. Can anyone give me some advice? Her death was unexpected and hiring an attorney is not financially possible for me right now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state?California. Hi. My mother passed 3 days ago and I am the trustee in her will. I am unsure of how to go about claiming what’s in her bank account. She did her banking online. Can anyone give me some advice? Her death was unexpected and hiring an attorney is not financially possible for me right now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Ok, wills do not have trustees, they have executors or administrators. Trusts have trustees. So, are you the executor or administrator of her will or the trustee of her trust? It makes a difference as to how you proceed. If she has a trust, is the trust funded or does her will state that everything is to go into her trust? If you cannot answer these questions, then you really cannot afford to do this without an attorney, unless she has very few assets.

 

[Zigner]

Agree with the above, but I also want to point out that you may wish to research the California small estate affidavit (https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate/small-estate). If your mom's estate is small enough, this can help.

 

[zddoodah]

I am the trustee in her will.

I'm going to nit pick your terminology because it's important.

A trustee is a person who administrates a trust. Did your mother have a trust in addition to her will or just a will?

The person who administers a decedent's estate pursuant to a will is called an executor or administrator or personal representative. My guess is that your mother's will nominates you to serve in that capacity.

I am unsure of how to go about claiming what’s in her bank account. She did her banking online. Can anyone give me some advice?

It's pretty early in the process. Can you give a rough estimate of the value of her estate? Did she own her home? Do you have all of her bank account information? Just one account or multiple accounts? Just one bank? Does the bank have an office near you? Did your mother receive social security deposits into her bank account? Was your mother married? Are there other living children and/or children of predeceased children?

How you answer these questions is important, so please answer each of them.