Family Law

questions & answers

Question: what is required to close out a deceased person's bank account, no will but everything went to closest blood rel. only son.

Answer: The answer depends on the size of the deceased's probate estate.  You stated there is no Will.  That means the parent died intestate.  Probate assets include real property that is solely in the deceased's name, bank accounts, stocks, personal property, vehicles, investments, etc.  Probate assets do not include life insurance or any property held jointly with another person.  If the probate assets are valued at $75,000 or less, you can do a probate by affidavit.  (Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 14-3971)You would simply get the form and instructions from the court's website, fill out the form and have it notarized.  Then, you would be able to take a copy of the death certificate and your affidavit to the bank to access the account.  If the assets are more than $75,000, you will need to probate the estate.  The court's website will provide you with information on what is and what is not a probate asset and instructions on the process.  Go to;  http://www.azcourts.gov.  Go to the self-service center and look under probate.