Joint Account after Death

LHW99

Sure, the bank can only release the funds to the next of kin

Not entirely correct - the bank will release funds to whoever deals with probate / administration, if they have the appropriate documents even if they are not related - otherwise solicitors etc would be unable to deal with estates. Only releasing to next of kin would only come in if there is a small estate, which is at such a level that even letters of administration are not required.

polymaff

Have you made an application for, and been granted, a grant of letters of administration (an official document, issued by the court, which allows administrators to administer the estate)?

If not, you need to as, until you have the letters of administration, the bank - and anyone else - can refuse to deal with you - irrespective of the amount involved. (Different banks have different thresholds)

Shellie19721

Hi,
I took legal advise prior to embarking on dealing with his estate and due to the small amount of money involved I was told I could do without a grant of administration.
The bank are willing to deal with my father’s sole account but won’t discuss the joint account with me.
Very frustrating as I really need access to the funds in this account to pay off the debts.

xylophone

won’t discuss the joint account with me.

The account ceased to be a joint account on your stepmother's death.

Under normal circumstances, the money in a joint account passes by survivorship - there can be circumstances which lead to disputes but these are unlikely where a married couple were involved.


See https://www.boodlehatfield.com/the-firm/articles/joint-accounts-whose-money-is-it/

I would suggest that you make a formal complaint in writing to the bank.

Reed_Richards

Shellie19721 wrote: »

Hi,
The bank are willing to deal with my father’s sole account but won’t discuss the joint account with me.

All I can think of is that you presented the bank with a death certificate for your father so they assigned the joint account to the sole name of your stepmother because nobody had told them she was dead. Now whoever you are dealing with hasn't the sense to see the mistake. You'll have to take the matter to a higher authority at the bank

Keep_pedalling

Speak to the banks bereavement department, not anyone in a branch. It’s an odd situation caused by your fathers failure to notify them of her death, but it’s not something the berievement team will not have come across before.