paging any banking experts."lost "joint account signature card problems

[jon gaper]

I know it is a long shot,but sometimes it is amazing how much people know here.I have a joint bank account set up 10 years ago with a relative. Signature card was signed,with right of survivorship, and the bank printed checks with both of our names on it where the previous checks had only his name.The reason was for me to be able to pay his bills if he became disabled,and to avoid probate when he died. I did write checks to pay his taxes,mortgage etc so the checks were significant amounts.I never wrote any checks that were not for his direct expenses.The bank must have had the signature card to cash them. Now that he has died,the bank refuses to release the funds because "they cannot find the signature card" and they claim that no microfilm backup can be found either.
Anyone in the banking industry or lawyers dealing with them have a direct approach to the bank officers ?

[tex1230]

The signature card should not matter if you can prove your identity and prove the other party is deceased. Is this a local bank or a big multistate behemoth (Bank of America, Chase, Wells, etc?)

If it's a local bank ask to speak to president/vp/someone who can make a decision.

Big multistate will be a little more difficult but not impossible. Have everything in order - all the records you have on the account along with your ID and an official death certificate and you should be able to get a resolution. This should not take a lawyer.

[irul&ublo]

I know it is a long shot,but sometimes it is amazing how much people know here.I have a joint bank account set up 10 years ago with a relative. Signature card was signed,with right of survivorship, and the bank printed checks with both of our names on it where the previous checks had only his name.The reason was for me to be able to pay his bills if he became disabled,and to avoid probate when he died. I did write checks to pay his taxes,mortgage etc so the checks were significant amounts.I never wrote any checks that were not for his direct expenses.The bank must have had the signature card to cash them. Now that he has died,the bank refuses to release the funds because "they cannot find the signature card" and they claim that no microfilm backup can be found either.
Anyone in the banking industry or lawyers dealing with them have a direct approach to the bank officers ?

Letter to bank manager is in order, with cc to banks general counsel. point out that if additional expenses are incurred to the estate due to their fuck up, you will look to the bank for re payment...