This morning I went to log onto our BECU account and found out the online access had been closed! The bank received notice from Social Security that Darrel had died and he was the Primary account holder on that account. It was a joint account but it doesn’t matter!
The account was set up years ago and we were not asked who should be primary but I suppose because he was the ‘man’ it was done in his name. I later set up a couple of accounts in my name for our rentals and for a business account and since they were linked with our main accounts I can access it through my login.
However, all our bill payments were set up on ‘his’ account and I am not able to access those! The bank couldn’t even give me a list of the accounts and account numbers in the bill payment system. And, since I went paperless on all our bills, I can’t look at the bills to get the account numbers. I guess this is one of the problems of going paperless and all electronic.
(It also amazes me that a goverment that can’t do anything in a timely manner was able to notify the bank before I even get a death certificate.)
I did get a letter in the mail today, after I already went to the bank, telling me I have 60-days to close and open another account. It still didn’t say anything about the online access being suspended.
So, this is the warning: If you have joint accounts and one of you dies, get online immediately and get all the information you need before the bank shuts the access.
Also in the mail today was a late payment notice for a parking lot in Tacoma from October 9. I immediately blamed Courtney, as he has had a few parking tickets in the past.
We then checked and the license plate did not match any of ours. Then I remembered that we had received new license plates for the truck this year.
Checked the registration and, sure enough, it was the old license plate number. The license plates were changed out in August. Plus Darrel was not driving anywhere at night on the date in question.
I thought maybe someone had stolen the plates out of the garbage. I called the parking company, they checked with the site log, and they had entered the number into their system incorrectly. But, it was another bit of stress that I certainly don’t need right now.
Sorry, Courtney!
Millers' Time 
Hi Robin Beware when you go to SS office. They will take Darrell’s last check I went to the SS office and asked them what should I do with Wade’s last check. He took it out of my hand and said thats all you have to do. I asked him How would I pay my bills He said that was my problem. They don’t have symthy with widows. So beware.Pat
My mom had this same frustration! She also had to deal with the phone company or it might have been the cable. But because her name was not on the bill she could not do anything with it. They made her send a death certificate and reopen her own acct and was calling her a renter. She was HOT! Banks- go figure. Ughhhhhh.
Wow… this is something I would not have thought of!!! Good heads up to everyone.
Banks!!! Don’t get me started! I have had the same issue when I’ve tried to cash a check at the bank. Because my name isn’t “first” or “primary” they refuse to cash my check. I have to go through a bunch of hoops to finally get my money, and may I emphasize my money. Grrrr…I feel your frustration and sorry you had that plus the parking thingy. Crumbs.