why does an attorney have to know about pod bank accounts that have a named beneficiary for probate

by Elmore Torphy MD 5 min read

While the account holder is alive, their POD account is safe from the beneficiary’s creditors. Once the account owner passes, however, the money is subject to lawsuits and judgments like any other asset. If your beneficiary has credit issues, it’s imperative that you consult an estate planning attorney for more information.

Full Answer

What happens if more than one beneficiary is named on pod?

The bank and the beneficiary you name will do the rest, bypassing probate court entirely. It's that simple. This kind of account has been called the "poor man's trust." And it's true that a (free) payable-on-death account designation avoids probate just as well as an expensive, lawyer-drawn living trust would. As long as you are alive, the person you named to inherit the money …

What is a pod account in probate?

Mar 11, 2022 · Additionally, it is generally free to do this. In this way, POD accounts help avoid the costs of probate, as previously mentioned; No Monetary Limitations Or Restrictions: There are generally no limits placed on the amount of money that can be transferred to a beneficiary through a payable on death account. This is useful because the account’s owner does not need …

What is a payable-on-death (pod) beneficiary?

Nov 13, 2019 · An attorney can review the law, review any beneficiary designations, and then decide which accounts are likely to go through probate and which will automatically pass to the named beneficiary. To explore your options, especially when it comes to protecting loved ones and ensuring bank account funds are distributed as you intended, contact attorney Andrew M. …

Can a pod account be payable on death?

Sep 05, 2011 · A POD account allows for the money remaining in the account when the account owner dies to pass to directly to the beneficiaries named by the account owner. It will happen outside of probate, and in general, all that the beneficiaries of the POD account will have to do to gain control of the account after the owner dies is to show the bank manager an original death …

Is Pod the same as beneficiary?

Answer: "Beneficiary" is a much-used term describing a person (natural or non-natural) who will benefit from an event, a trust, a will, an action, or anything else. "P.O.D." refers to an instruction concerning disposition of an asset when the owner(s) die(s).Feb 3, 2003

What does an executor have to disclose to beneficiaries?

One of the Executor's duties is to inform all next of kin and beneficiaries of: The deceased's death; The appointment of themselves as an Executor/Administrator; Their inheritance – be it a specific item, cash sum or share of the estate.

Can beneficiaries see estate accounts?

Generally speaking, the only people who are entitled to see Estate Accounts during Probate are the Residuary Beneficiaries of the Estate.Sep 11, 2019

Are POD accounts taxable to the beneficiary?

The value of a POD account generally will not be included in your taxable income because bequests aren't taxable as income. Any income earned by the POD account prior to the date the bequeather died is reported on their final income tax return.

Can beneficiaries demand to see deceased bank statements?

Some times beneficiaries want to see more detailed documents such as a Deceased's bank statement or pension documentation. Strictly speaking a beneficiary has no entitlement as of right to such documentation and it is your discretion as Executor whether or not to disclose it. The nature of the beneficiary's interest.Jun 19, 2019

Does an executor have to show accounting to beneficiaries?

To summarize, the executor does not automatically have to disclose accounting to beneficiaries. However, if the beneficiaries request this information from the executor, it is the executor's responsibility to provide it. In most cases, the executor will provide informal accounting to the beneficiaries.Dec 24, 2021

What happens to a deceased person's bank accounts?

If the account holder established someone as a beneficiary or POD, the bank will release the funds to the named person once it learns of the account holder's death. After that, the financial institution typically closes the account.Sep 16, 2020

Can an executor override a beneficiary?

Ways an Executor Cannot Override a Beneficiary An executor cannot change beneficiaries' inheritances or withhold their inheritances unless the will has expressly granted them the authority to do so. The executor also cannot stray from the terms of the will or their fiduciary duty.May 12, 2021

How long does an executor have to distribute assets?

Once they have realised the assets of the estate (which in itself can take some time), usually executors and administrators are advised not to make a distribution to the beneficiaries for at least six months, or better still, ten months.Mar 4, 2021

Who has access to a POD account?

An individual with an account or certificate of deposit at a bank can designate a beneficiary who will inherit any money in the account after his or her death. A bank account with a named beneficiary is called a payable on death (POD) account.

What does POD mean on bank?

Payable on DeathA Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary is an individual, group of individuals, non-profit, company, organization or trust, other than the owner or co-owner, designated by the owner(s) of the account to receive the balance of funds when the last owner on the account passes away.

What's the difference between POD and TOD?

What are POD and TOD Accounts? A POD accounts stands for “payable on death” and is usually used with bank accounts such as checking, savings or Certificates of Deposit. TOD are “transfer on death” accounts and are usually used with brokerage accounts, stocks, bonds and other investments.

What Are Some of The Pros and Cons of Payable on Death accounts?

Before you set one up, it’s helpful to learn some of the pros and cons of POD accounts. Some of the pros include: 1. Easy to Create: Generally all...

What Other Options Do I Have Besides A Pod account?

If a payable on death account seems unsuitable for your needs, you may have a few other options for transferring your account money. For example, y...

Do I Need A Lawyer For Help With A Payable on Death account?

If you need assistance with a payable on death account, it’s to your advantage to hire an estate lawyer in your area. Your attorney can advise you...

The Executor's Role in Claiming Pod Account Funds

  • When money is left to a payable-on-death beneficiary, it doesn't pass under the terms of the deceased person's will. That means the money is not part of the deceased person's probate estate, and it isn't under the control of the executor. So if you're the executor (or administrator appointed by the court), it's not really your job to help transfer the funds to the POD beneficiary …
See more on alllaw.com

How to Claim The Funds After Death

  • To collect funds in a POD bank account, all the beneficiary needs to do is go to the bank and present ID and a certified copy of the death certificate (if the bank doesn't already have one on file). The bank will have the paperwork, signed by the deceased owner, which authorized the beneficiary to inherit the funds. The beneficiary can withdraw the money or open a new account…
See more on alllaw.com

Potential Complications

  • POD designations are widely used because they're simple both for the person who sets them up and the beneficiaries who inherit. Sometimes, however, circumstances can make for complications. If there's a disagreement over who inherits the funds in an account, consult a local attorney who's knowledgeable about state probate law.
See more on alllaw.com