My mother in law was taking care of her bedridden husband for the last 18 years in their apartment in Massachusetts. As he was bedridden, she did everything for him. She had his power of attorney on his checking account and other transactions and did all the banking for the last 18 years. He died and in the will, she was suppose to pay all the funeral expenses from his account and take any leftover money for herself.
BOA froze the account upon his death and bounced all the checks written for funeral and associated items as was specified in the will. He died January 5th. It is now August 27th and BOA still has her money.
They have told her that even though he died in Massachusetts and was a resident here for 12 years, she would have to have to go through the Florida courts, where the account was first opened. Florida courts have said they can't do anything as he was a resident of Mass and died in Mass. The only asset she has is the $4,000.00 which is locked up in the bank.
They won't give her any information or help in resolving this situation. If we hire a lawyer, most of the money will go the them, if they can get it out of the bank.
DO NOT HAVE A POWER OF ATTORNEY ON ANY BONDS, STOCKS SAVINGS OR CHECKING ACCOUNTS or important documents. Have them as a OR account. (Jim or Sally). This will save the hardship that my M-I-L is experiencing.
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