Unless a guardian has been appointed for the minor’s estate, usually the court will not allow a minor to actively receive inherited property. There are, however, some exceptions:
if the amount to be distributed is small,
the decedent’s will names a custodian to secure the minor’s property or
the child has a court-appointed guardian.
There is an exception if the minor does not have an appointed guardian, and the decedent did not nominate someone to receive the minor’s property. If the total estate of the minor (what the minor already owns plus what they are inheriting) does not exceed $5,000, the personal representative can deliver the money or other personal property being inherited by the minor to the minor’s parent. The parent can hold the property in trust for the minor until they reach age 18.
On the other hand, if the minor does not have a guardian of their estate and the decedent did not nominate a custodian, and the property to be transferred is less than $10,000, the personal representative may, under certain conditions, appoint another adult as custodian. This is only an option if:
The personal representative believes the transfer is in the minor’s best interest
The will does not prohibit the transfer or contain a clause that would contradict the transfer.
If money is distributed to a minor, the court will usually order the money deposited in a bank account, subject to court supervision.