Situation:
My mom passed away, and I have a brother and sister who live very close to where she did. She was a resident of AZ, as are my brother and sister, and she was a widower. She has checking/savings/CD accounts held in several PA banks where she used to live, a BOA savings account, a BOA CD account, and an account with Raymond James back in PA, holding numerous CD's. She was intestate, and there is no representative for her estate. As far as I know, all accounts are POD/ITF, and we are waiting for the death certificate copies to arrive.
Problems I am running into:
I was under the impression accounts structured as POD/ITF, with people listed on the signature card, could pretty much walk into the bank, present the death certificate, show ID and receive whatever percentage of that account on the spot, or wait a certain period. During my time informing the local banks of my mum's passing, and asking about account transfer, the local banks in PA are stating I need a 'short certificate' (lists a representative/administrator of her estate), along with the death certificate in order to access the funds? This makes no sense, and the very reason I, and I believe my mum structured all accounts POD/ITF, was that it bypasses the need for a representative/administrator/executor/executrix (basically bypasses probate).
By these PA banks stating the need for a short certificate, which basically means a certificate having someone appointed representative for my moms estate/assets, completely seems to nullify the spirit of the POD, namely the need for what now is basically probate, exactly what she did not want. I have told the banks several times she WAS NOT a PA resident, as when I researched short certificate, it almost seemed like a PA only thing; not sure if AZ has this document, or is called something else.
This situation is very confusing, by what seems should be a simple, straightforward process, but PA banks are seemingly making it far more difficult, and even violating the very spirit of why folks structure accounts POD/ITF. I REALLY do not want to not have to hire an attorney, for what seems a no attorney need be hired situation.
I appreciate your time reading and considering my plight, and would appreciate input concerning this situation... Maybe you have experienced similar, and we can all learn something.
Thank you.
