Beneficiary status in question?

[J.L.Herring27]

In February of this year my wife's grandmother passed away. She lived in Texas. She had a bank account that was supposed to have my wife as the beneficiary as we found a hand written note by her from October of last year saying she named my wife and we also got confirmation from the bank. When my wife went to the bank they told her that she was named beneficiary in the computer however they could not find a signed card on file. They also told us there was no way to be in the computer as beneficiary without them first receiving said signature. However since they could not find the signed card and the will does not specifically say the account goes to my wife that they will give it to the estate. So I guess I am wondering is this legal or can my wife sue and if so how?

 

[Zigner]

In February of this year my wife's grandmother passed away. She lived in Texas. She had a bank account that was supposed to have my wife as the beneficiary as we found a hand written note by her from October of last year saying she named my wife and we also got confirmation from the bank. When my wife went to the bank they told her that she was named beneficiary in the computer however they could not find a signed card on file. They also told us there was no way to be in the computer as beneficiary without them first receiving said signature. However since they could not find the signed card and the will does not specifically say the account goes to my wife that they will give it to the estate. So I guess I am wondering is this legal or can my wife sue and if so how?

Sue for what? If she's not actually named as the beneficiary of the account, then it will properly pass to the estate.

 

[LdiJ]

Sue for what? If she's not actually named as the beneficiary of the account, then it will properly pass to the estate.

The computer shows her as the beneficiary, they simply cannot find the signature card that goes along with that. So, its not that simple.

Depending on the value of the account it might be worth a consult with an attorney in the jurisdiction involved.

 

[J.L.Herring27]

They won't tell her what's in the account but said that they would write the executor a check and hand it to my wife. Whom is not the executor.

 

[Shadowbunny]

They won't tell her what's in the account but said that they would write the executor a check and hand it to my wife. Whom is not the executor.

Who have you elevated this to in the bank?

 

[J.L.Herring27]

Who have you elevated this to in the bank?

The branch manager and she said she called the corporate office.