My dad is currently in the ICU and might not make it. He has minimal assets—just a Chase checking account with around $4,000. As his daughter and caretaker, I handle his shopping, so I have his debit card and PIN. I’m wondering if it’s legal for me to withdraw cash from his account for funeral expenses if he doesn’t survive. I understand it’s illegal to use his card after his death, but I’m concerned that withdrawing cash before he passes might look suspicious to the bank later on. Will they care about these transactions if they occur before his death? I want to ensure I handle this correctly and avoid any trouble.
Hello, If he notifies the bank that someone else is using his card, the bank can block the card and possibly freeze accounts, as it constitutes a breach of the account agreement.
Hey, If i was in your position I’d proceed with the withdrawal now, as the risk is minimal and there’s no one to dispute it. Make the withdrawal as close to the hospital as possible. As long as it’s done before the time on the certificate, you should be fine and can claim authorization.
Hi, The bank won’t file a fraud claim on the customer’s behalf. They may lock the card if they suspect fraud, but the cardholder would need to resolve the hold. You don’t need to be a joint account holder; it appears you have “permitted access” to the card.
Hey, If your story is accurate and you have receipts from the funeral home showing you used the funds for his burial, you should be fine. Since you have the PIN, which was given to you by the account holder, proving unauthorized access is challenging. The PIN’s purpose is to limit access. Based on my experience with these investigations, you won’t be penalized for using your father’s money for his burial expenses.