Estate question?

Question

In June of this year, my father died. My mother, age 79, who was married to my father at the time of death, received a check from a utility company in the amount of $ 511.13 that is made payable to my dad's "Mr. John Doe Estate". My mothers name is not on the check. My mother's lawyer has allowed her sign various papers related to the estate over the past few months.

My mom took this check into her local, main bank, which she and dad have been doing business with for 10 years, and said she wanted to deposit the check. The bank told her that, because it was made out ONLY to my dad's estate, that she would have to open a "new " account in the name of my dad's estate.

Is this correct? What alternatives are there ? Any suggestions ?

Answer 1

Yes.
Have your mother open an "estate" account.

Settle your dad's estate and the heirs will receive the assets (most likely everything will flow to your mother).

It's not a real big deal, but she'll need to open that "estate" account.

Answer 2

Maybe the utility company that sent the check can reissue the check to your mother's name. Otherwise, your mom should confer with her lawyer or accountant to see if she needs to set up a new estate account.