My mom recently died without a will I am the only living heir.
How do I gain access to checking and savings accounts that are in her name only
What do I need to just have the accounts put in my name or what is the easiest way to gain access legally to these accounts
Thanks in advance for any help

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jheinz

my mom recently died without a will i am the only living heir.
how do i gain access to checking and savings accounts that are in her name only
what do i need to just have the accounts put in my name or what is the easiest way to gain access legally to these accounts
thanks in advance for any help

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I would ask the bank, but most certainly you will need a certified copy of her death certificate and perhaps a letter from the County / Parish Probate Court stating their has been no will filed. Best, easiest thing to do is ask the bank.

Are there property, how much money is there,

What will normally happen ( and each state in the US has various laws) and other nations have all sorts of different laws.

But without a will, it may or may not have to go into probate court.
All money will be moved into an estate account. From that you will pay all of the last expenses, any outstanding debts, all credit cards, any utilitiy bills and the such.

After all bills are paid, any money left would go to the heirs, ( you if you are the only one)

When freezing a bank acount is it legal to freeze joint bank accounts in NY State?