What exactly is a CO-APPLICANT to a bank account entitled to?

Question

I want to avoid life insurance or a will, I simply want another person entitled to have rights on my bank account ONLY IN CASE OF MY DEATH. What exactly do I ask for in this case? I do not want this person to have access to my account, obviously. What do I do?

Answer 1

There are some types of accounts that you can do a TOD (Transfer on Death). I have a TOD on my investment account. I'm not sure if you can do that on a savings though. You would need to check with your bank. Ask them if there is an account you can put a TOD on.

Answer 2

A co-applicant or co-owner, or joint person is entitled to everything in the account that the primary person is.

Depending on the bank & state, it may be phrased differently: POD or TOD, eihter way, its a beneficiary. Some of them also use beneficiary.

Answer 3

you need to check the rules with your bank/state regulations. I could sign on my great aunts checking account as a SECOND signature to help her pay the bills when she got sick... after her death I found out she had set up the account in her name with my name.... with right of survivorship.

So when she passed away, the account automatically transferred to me.. talk about knocking me over with a feather!!

But then she was always was a feather.

So check about the survivorship thing.

Answer 4

You want a Pay Upon Death clause on it - POD for short. It might not be available in all states.

Answer 5

not possible...without a will no one has rights to your account.