Posted on Fri Jul 31, 2015, on Probate and Estate Administration
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My father died a resident of Burlington County, New Jersey. I live in California. His only asset was his bank account, and I am his only child, but the bank will not give me the account. They say I need to get a certified certificate from the Surrogate. Why is this?
When someone dies a resident of New Jersey, their assets pass to other persons or entities either under their will or, if they have no will, by the New Jersey rules of intestacy.
The bank has no idea who should get those funds in his account, as your father could have a will giving them to anyone