My grandmother died on feb.5th 2008. She already transferred her property to my father before she died. Her checking account was a joint one with a friend of the family and her caregiver. The friend|caregiver never put any money in the account or used the account. My question is the money in the account hers to use as she wishes like to pay my grandmothers bills left behind? Is this checking account part of the probate court ?

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Originally Posted by loving granddaughter

My grandmother died on feb.5th 2008. She already transferred her property to my father before she died. her checking account was a joint one with a friend of the family and her caregiver. the friend|caregiver never put any money in the account or used the account. my question is the money in the account hers to use as she wishes like to pay my grandmothers bills left behind? is this checking account part of the probate court ?

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If the checking account was held in joint names it doesn't matter whose money actually was in the account, who wrote checks - it passes to the survivor without having to go through Probate.

And, yes, the survivor can use the money any way she wants - and she doesn't have to pay your Grandmother's bills with it. That is her choice. Those bills will be listed on the Probate Petition and if there are sufficient assets will come out of the estate.

There may not be any money to pay the bills if, in fact, everything was transferred to your father in a legal fashion, within a legal time frame. There are exceptions, of course, if other property was in joint names, if there were guarantors on bills.