Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

Should I turn over credit, cards, debit cards, and blank checks to my sister from the parents account since thet have passed away? She and my parents lice in Pennsylvania.


Asked on 1/13/13, 11:17 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Miriam Jacobson Retired from practice of law

Absolutely not.

The estate[s] have to be administered by filing the Will, if there was one, or by applying to be appointed as the personal representative of the intestate estate. You do this at the Office of the Register of Wills in the County where your parents resided. You can't do anything with any assets and debts of the estate without such official appointment.

When the personal representative has been appointed, s/he should notify credit and debit card issuers of the death and the account should be closed and an estate account opened.

THIS RESPONSE IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, SINCE I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND I DO NOT HAVE A REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT WITH YOU.

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Answered on 1/13/13, 12:04 pm
Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

Miriam seems correct, if your sister has been appointed the estate representative. The accounts should be verified, account issuers, banks and other possible creditors notifed and cards and blank checks destroyed. Be sure they are not used by anyone.

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Answered on 1/14/13, 11:31 am


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