Joint Bank Account Litigation & Pay on Death Disputes

In some situations, the ownership of joint bank accounts will be in dispute upon the death of one owner.  Under Florida law, there is a presumption that jointly titled accounts become the property of the survivor upon the death of the first owner.  However, this presumption can be disproven upon sufficient evidence to the contrary.  A joint account that is intended to be paid to the survivor is called a survivorship account.  A joint account that is intended to be paid to the estate upon the death of the owner is called a convenience account.

In other situations, one owner of joint funds might have improperly transferred funds out of the joint account to another.  In such a case, a lawsuit can be brought for the recovery of the joint funds improperly taken.