Looking for input from fellow PA preparers

[elfling]

Just when you think you have things under control . . .

TP deceased 11/23/2008 (yes, that "8" is correct).

Two banks continued to pay him interest on accounts all of 2009, probably still are.

Widow says she tried to get the accounts changed to her name and SSN but the banks say they can't, get this, without his signature. She took in death certificates. No dice. They tell her since he can't sign and the POA she had prior to his death is no longer valid, they can neither change the accounts nor release the funds for redeposit to her. I recommended she speak to an attorney.

My snafu is two-faceted: 1) We filed a final PA return last year, so how could another be filed this year? 2) If we don't file a return with over $1300 of interest showing for that social, even though sch SP will zero-out any tax due, will PA come looking to her for a return?

Thoughts anyone?

Elfling

[taxit]

If the income is hers regardless of the SS # , put it on her PA 40.

[kcjenkins]

She has not got the money, according to the post. If he had listed her as the person to get the funds if he died, the bank could do it. But apparently he did not do that. If he had no will, she's going to have to go to court to get access to the funds. In the mean time, an estate return needs to be filed, because he screwed up this, uh, created this situation. Maybe he did not trust her? It's going to take the probate court to fix it now.

[elfling]

Thanks for the input.

We doubt it was a case of non-trust between spouses. They were married for 65 years!

More a situation of never getting around to it. He was declared blind in 2001. Moved to an assisted living program in 2003, then to a nursing home situation in 2004. Dimentia set in quickly after that. Widow probably was not thinking about access to the money as monthly nursing home payment was sent directly from the bank.

She feels I am right suggesting she talk to an attorney to help straighten it out.

Elfling