Free Accessing A Deceased Person's Financial Accounts - Montana

Accessing a Deceased Person's Financial Accounts
by Marsha A. Goetting, Ph.D., CFP®, CFCS, Professor and Family Economics Specialist, Montana State University; and Jeanne Saarinen, Vice President, Montana Credit Unions for Community Development
How to provide your children's physical and financial care in case of you or your spouse's death. Includes special instructions concerning handicapped and step-children.

MontGuide
MT200301HR Reprinted 12/08

When A MontAnA resiDent Dies, stAte lAW provides a process for determining who is legally entitled to inherit his/her financial accounts with banks, credit unions, savings and loans, or other entities such as brokerage firms and stocks or bonds companies. The purpose of this MontGuide is to briefly describe how heirs (successors) can acquire a decedent's (deceased person's) financial accounts under Montana law when the following circumstances exist: 1. When the decedent's account is owned jointly with other individuals; 2. When the decedent was the only owner on the account and had designated one or more beneficiaries; and 3. When the decedent was the only owner on the account and no beneficiary was designated. Montana property and contract laws, and provisions under the Montana Uniform Probate Code, dictate who becomes the legal successor(s) of the accounts above.

Procedures
When an individual who claims to be a successor approaches a financial institution to request money in an account or securities owned by the decedent, a representative of the financial institution will review the account documents that were signed by the decedent when the account was established. Was the account jointly owned by the decedent with others and, if so, what are their names? Did the joint account indicate right of survivorship or without right of survivorship on the form? Did the joint account have a payable on death (POD) beneficiary designation or transfer on death (TOD) beneficiary registration? If the decedent was the sole owner, did he/she make a payable on death (POD) beneficiary designation or transfer on death (TOD) beneficiary registration? The answers to these questions will help the financial entity determine who is entitled to the funds in the account.

Multiple-Party Account. This type of an account is owned jointly by all parties. If the decedent owned the account with other individuals with right of survivorship (the most common form of joint ownership), the surviving individuals can legally remove the money. Each owner has the power to make transactions or withdraw the total amount on deposit according to the deposit account agreement. Upon the death of a joint owner, ownership of the account transfers to the surviving joint owner(s) regardless of any provisions the decedent may have made in a written will. Example: Debbie states in her will that she bequeaths all property to her niece, Bethany. However, Debbie has a certificate of deposit (CD) in joint tenancy with her son, Chris. Chris will be the successor of the CD because of the joint tenancy with right of survivorship title. If Debbie wants Bethany to become the successor of the CD she needs to remove the name of Chris as a joint owner. Once the change is accomplished, Debbie's written will controls who receives the CD upon her death. If a dispute arises between the surviving joint owners regarding withdrawals or transactions made by one of the owners, that disagreement is between the owners and not the financial institution holding the account. Multiple party accounts without rights of survivorship are not common and are beyond the scope of this MontGuide.

Single party account with POD or TOD beneficiary designations
If the decedent was the sole owner of an account and made a payable on death (POD) beneficiary designation, then under Montana law the POD beneficiary is entitled to the funds. While the sole owner is alive, the POD beneficiary does not have ownership or access to the account. Before the financial entity will release the funds, the POD beneficiary will be required to present the decedent's certified death certificate and the beneficiary's proof of identification. Typically, most financial institutions will require an unexpired government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, passport or state-issued ID that is available at the driver's license office.

Multiple party account with right of survivorship (Joint tenancy accounts)
Under the Montana Uniform Multiple-Party Accounts Act, an account owned by more than one person is known as a
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If there is more than one POD beneficiary designated on the account, the financial institution will split the money equally among the beneficiaries. Example: Jim established a $50,000 share certificate at his local credit union. The account was in his name only, with his five children listed as POD beneficiaries. Upon his death each child received one fifth of the $50,000, or $10,000 apiece. The beneficiary on a POD account receives the funds regardless of any provisions the decedent may have had in a written will. Example: Bernie has a small savings account, with her son and daughter listed as the POD beneficiaries. Bernie states in her will that she bequeaths all property to the Montana State University Foundation. Bernie will need to remove her son and daughter as the POD designees if she wants her written will to control the distribution of the savings account. Another alternative is that Bernie could change the POD designation from the names of her son and daughter to the Montana State University Foundation. A transfer on death (TOD) registration on securities ­ such as stocks, mutual funds, money market funds, and corporate or municipal bonds ­ achieves what the POD designation does for funds deposited at banks, savings and loans, and credit unions. In other words, the securities pass to the TOD registrant once the individual presents proof of identification and the decedent's certified death certificate. The beneficiary on a TOD account receives the securities regardless of any provisions the decedent may have had in a written will. Example: Barbara has securities on which she has designated her brother, Charles, as the TOD beneficiary. In her written will, she has bequeathed all property to her sisters. Her two sisters will not receive the securities unless she removes her brother's name as the TOD beneficiary or she could name her sisters as TOD beneficiaries.

one of the owners. Consult an attorney to determine if there are other assets that could also be excluded, as type of assets varies from individual to individual.

Procedure for estates with values over $50,000
If the decedent's entire estate, minus liens and encumbrances, is valued at over $50,000, the funds in the accounts are considered part of the estate and the accounts are distributed to the legal heirs through probate. Probate is the legal process of settling an estate and distributing the decedent's real and personal property to the legal heirs. The probate process is usually initiated by a member of the decedent's family or an attorney, who notifies the district court in the county where the decedent had lived. When a personal representative needs to be appointed to settle the estate, the clerk of the court or district judge appoints one as provided for in the decedent's will or, if there is no written will, from a priority list provided in Montana statutes. The court issues "Letters" that are used by the personal representative when he/she collects the decedent's real and personal property for distribution to the heirs. Once the decedent's property is collected, it is distributed by the personal representative to the successor(s) according to the decedent's written will, or if the decedent had no will according to Montana's law of intestacy (dying without a will). When the decedent's entire estate is valued at more than $50,000, the personal representative must provide the financial entity with a copy of the "Letters" and identification to collect funds in a single party account without a TOD or POD beneficiary designation. Multiple party accounts with rights of survivorship and single party accounts with POD beneficiary designations are not part of the probate process. These assets are distributed as explained previously. Additional examples of property distributed outside the probate process include: property held in trust; life insurance payable to a named beneficiary other than the estate; assets in a pension plan; and transfer on death (TOD) registrations on securities and securities accounts. These properties, like joint accounts with right of survivorship or POD beneficiary designations, pass to the successors designated in the contracts.

Single party account without a POD or TOD beneficiary designation
Montana statutes provide procedures for distributing financial accounts that were solely owned by a decedent who did not make a POD or TOD designation. The procedure used depends on whether the decedent's entire estate minus liens and encumbrances, wherever located, is valued at $50,000 or less, or more than $50,000. Example: Sandy died owning a vehicle valued at $25,000 that had a $12,000 lien held by the bank on the title. The value of the vehicle for inclusion in the estate is $13,000. The value of the estate of the decedent is established as of the date of death. When calculating the value of the estate (for purposes under this statute), the following are not included: multiple party accounts with right of survivorship, single party accounts with POD or TOD beneficiaries, and any other property held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship that entitles the surviving owners to the property on the death of
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Procedure for estate values of $50,000 and less
If the decedent's entire estate, minus liens and encumbrances, is valued at $50,000 or less, Montana law provides for a simplified procedure without probate or appointment of a personal representative. The financial entity can release the decedent's funds to a successor who presents proof of identification, the decedent's certified death certificate, and an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (see back page). Because the affidavit is a legal document, successors should obtain competent legal advice from an attorney to prepare one. An Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent must include the following statements:

· that 30 days have elapsed since the death of the decedent. Attach a copy of the death certificate as proof of the date of decedent's death. · that no application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or granted in any jurisdiction. · that the claiming affiant (the person signing the affidavit) is entitled to payment of any sums of money due and owing the decedent. The affiant is the successor either because he or she is designated in the decedent's written will to receive the funds in the account or if the decedent had no written will, according to Montana's law of intestacy. · a description of the money and/or property and name of the institution holding the funds, while not required by statute, is helpful for record keeping purposes for the affiant and the financial institution. The Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent must be signed by the person claiming to be the successor and the signature must be notarized by a notary public. The Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent on the back page meets the requirements under Montana law. After the affidavit, successor's proof of identification, and the decedent's certified death certificate are presented, the financial institution can disburse the funds to the affiant (successor). Some financial institutions may ask the successor to sign an indemnity agreement. This agreement releases the financial institution from any liability pertaining to the release of funds to the affiant. If more than one person signs the affidavit, a financial institution will typically make the check payable to all the successors jointly so all would have to endorse the check for it to be cashed. The financial institution is not required to verify the information contained in the affidavit other than assuring that 30 days must have elapsed between the date of death of the account holder and the signing of the affidavit by the successor. Financial institutions paying, delivering, transferring, or issuing personal property under the affidavit are discharged and released of liability to the same extent as if they had dealt with the personal representative of the decedent. A transfer agent of any security (such as stocks and bonds) is required to change the registered ownership on the books of a corporation from the name of the decedent to the name(s) of the successor(s) upon presentation of the affidavit, proof of identification and the decedent's certified death certificate.

If the decedent held the account in his/her name and also with another individual(s) with rights of survivorship, the surviving joint tenant can legally remove the monies. If the financial account is solely owned by the decedent with a payable on death (POD) or transfer on death (TOD) designation, then under Montana law the POD or TOD beneficiary is entitled to the funds. For single party accounts without a POD or TOD beneficiary designation, if the decedent's estate (less liens and encumbrances) is more than $50,000, probate and the appointment of a personal representative is generally required before the accounts can be disbursed to the successors. If the decedent's estate (less liens and encumbrances) does not exceed a value of $50,000, the successor can collect money in the decedent's accounts by presenting his/her proof of identification, a certified death certificate, and an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of a Decedent.

Further Information
Montana State University Extension publishes other fact sheets written to assist families with estate planning. The following are all available on the Web at http://www.montana.edu/ estateplanning. Designating Beneficiaries Through Contractual Arrangements, MT199901HR Dying Without a Will in Montana: Who Receives Your Property, MT198908HR Non-Probate Transfers, MT199509HR What is a Personal Representative, MT199008HR Probate in Montana, MT199006HR

Disclaimer
This publication is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. Rather, it is designed to help families become better acquainted with the procedures under Montana Codes for Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit, multiple party accounts (joint tenancies), PODs and TODs. Future changes in laws cannot be predicted. Therefore, statements in this MontGuide are based solely upon those laws in force on the date of publication.

Acknowledgment
This MontGuide has been reviewed by members of the following professional organizations: ­ Business, Estates, Trusts, Tax and Real Property Section: State Bar of Montana ­ Montana Credit Union Network

Summary
Montana law provides simplified procedures for successors to acquire decedent's accounts at financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, savings and loans, or other financial entities, such as brokerage firms and stocks or bonds companies.

References
Montana Code Annotated. Title 72, Chapter 6: 72-3-1101. Technical Assistance Bulletin. Death of a Member. Montana Credit Union Network, April 2002. Technical Assistance Bulletin. Account Ownership and Rights at Death. Montana Credit Union Network, September 1998.

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Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent
STATE OF MONTANA County of
Name of County

Pursuant to Section 72-3-1101. Montana Code Annotated. , after being first duly sworn, states: died on .

Successor's Name

1. That

Decedent's Name

Date of Death

2. The value of the decedent's entire estate, wherever located less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $50,000.00. 3. Thirty (30) days have elapsed since accompanies this Affidavit.) death. (A certified death certificate

Decedent's Name

4. No application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative for the estate of is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction.
Decedent's Name

5. The affiant, described as

Successor's Name

, is entitled to the decedent's interest in the personal property, .

Describe asset: bank account number, insurance policy company number, or stock.

Affiant has read the foregoing statements, and affirms that all of the above are true.
Successor's Name

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this (Seal)
Name of Notary (printed or typed)

Date

day of

Month, Year

.

Notary Public for State of Montana Residing at , Montana My Commission Expires: 20

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File under: Family Financial Management (Estate Planning) Reprinted December 2008 1000-1208SA