“X” Marks the Spot – Mark without Initials Sufficient for Account to go to Surviving Spouse (not Children)

A signature controls how assets of an account will be distributed. A joint account may pass by the will of the deceased whereas a joint account with right of survivorship account passes to the survivor. This article describes an probate battle over whether the account was a joint account with right of survivorship was established if the signature card was not initialed and there was no definition of the type of joint account on the same card where it was initialed.