Consumer complaint received 2022-10-15
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Funds not handled or disbursed as instructed
Company: U.S. BANCORP (MN)

My spouse passed on XX/XX/2022. There is a will designating me as the sole heir. Also, in Minnesota, the surviving spouse usually will inherit the entire estate. That is also often the case even if there is a will that partially or entirely disinherits the spouse. In Minnesota, the surviving spouse is usually entitled to at least {$50000.00} of the estate. Though I was not listed as an owner on my deceased spouse 's U.S. Bank checking account, I always had full access to that account. Now, however, U.S. Bank is denying me access to the account without disbursing a balance of some $ XXXX that should have been available to me. And that at a time when I have to meet some unusual expenses ... .. My deceased husband even left me a signed check payable to his church to pay for funeral expenses. That check is now worthless. I also had transferred $ XXXX to his account to cover automatic payments to creditors and other expenses, if any. Also those funds are no longer available. 
Yesterday, XX/XX/XXXX, I discussed the issue with XXXX XXXX XXXX, Client relationship Consultant at U.S.Bankcorp Center- Main Branch XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX MN XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, providing her with marriage and death certificates, I.D . 's, bank cards, and the will, to no avail. She simply handed me a XXXX note indicating that the bank required either an " Affidavit of Small Estate '' or " Letters of Testamentary ''. When I asked what those documents consisted of, I was told to see a lawyer. Really? More expense to simply get access to what is rightfully mine? I would like a letter from the bank stating in detail why this is a requirement for a small estate when it is clearly the intent of the State of Minnesota to avoid unnecessary red tape and expense in such cases. I as well would like to have that letter reviewed by Minnesota 's Office of the Attorney General, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX  XXXX, XXXX XXXX, MN XXXX, XXXX, XXXX. What is particularly galling is that when I pull up the " Affidavit of Small Estate '' template ( 4 pages long .... ) that the legal pages on the internet provide, the very first instruction is to NOT complete the form WHEN THERE IS A WILL. There also is another form, the " Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property '', which has small estates avoid probate when the estate is no greater than $ XXXX But that affidavit can not be processed until at least 30 days after the death of my husband -- far too late to avoid financial distress! I called XXXX XXXX relative to my predicament and obviously, while having the authority to issue demands for what the bank " requires '' in terms of seemingly unnecessary documentation, she does not have the legal background to judge the practicality of her demands. As it is, " Letters of Testamentary '' appear to involve a court judgment following a procedure close to probate, which in and of itself, the state appears to deem a procedure to be avoided in the case of small estates. 

In my view, all U.S. Bank is attempting to accomplish by demanding anyONE of these documents without any legal basis or understanding is, to put it plainly, CYA -- and that, on my time, on my nickel, and to my detriment ... .. Do please intervene on my behalf and on that of so many others facing the same predicament, especially at a time when everyone is already facing all too many other financial challenges -- while banks reap the benefits of increasing interest rates and profit from charging late fees, overdraw fees, and what-not fees. Truly, the safest place for one to keep their money these days is under one 's mattress! In my case, U.S. Bank, is profiting from an interest-free loan. I would like to see them charged late fees as well as interest at the bank 's overdraw protection rate of 21 %, until I receive their letter of explanation and the funds are disbursed. 

My sincere thanks for your help. Please do have XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX office receive a copy of this complaint.