hi
My mother has recently passed and she has named me executor of her will and me and my two siblings as beneficiaries. Prior to my mum passing I had enduring power of attorney and was able to access all her accounts, had access to a key card, and access to her online banking. My siblings also had access and we made all of mums financial decisions together.
I am still able to access her accounts as I have not informed the bank of her death, So I was wondering if there are any legal implications for me to simply pay all of her debts and funeral expenses out of her account and then give the remainder to my siblings without having to apply for probate, and prior to notifying the bank mum has passed? My siblings are in agreement (in fact they are asking me to do it) so is there anyone left to make a complaint or press charges against me for accessing her accounts?
I am aware I can go into the bank with the will and her death certificate and request funds, but I don’t want to do this unless I know I have to, as they may make me go through probate which will take months. It just seems so much quicker and easier to do it this way.
My mother has recently passed and she has named me executor of her will and me and my two siblings as beneficiaries. Prior to my mum passing I had enduring power of attorney and was able to access all her accounts, had access to a key card, and access to her online banking. My siblings also had access and we made all of mums financial decisions together.
I am still able to access her accounts as I have not informed the bank of her death, So I was wondering if there are any legal implications for me to simply pay all of her debts and funeral expenses out of her account and then give the remainder to my siblings without having to apply for probate, and prior to notifying the bank mum has passed? My siblings are in agreement (in fact they are asking me to do it) so is there anyone left to make a complaint or press charges against me for accessing her accounts?
I am aware I can go into the bank with the will and her death certificate and request funds, but I don’t want to do this unless I know I have to, as they may make me go through probate which will take months. It just seems so much quicker and easier to do it this way.