re: OT lawyers: estate/inheritance question

Depends on your state law so talk to a lawyer in the area of the pending estate. A lot of jurisdictions would look to the status (full account holder, authorized signatory only etc.) of the named individuals on the account and any payable on death beneficiaries named on the account. In most cases in my area if there is another full account holder on the account or a pod beneficiary in cases of no other account holders the funds go straight to them.