How can heirs find unknown bank accounts and life insurance benefits after a death without a will?

I understand that navigating financial matters can be challenging. Have you already contacted the bank to inquire about any potential savings accounts linked to your checking account?

Are you looking to use the small asset affidavit for a specific legal purpose, such as estate planning or debt resolution?

Hello. My name is Daniel, and I've been a licensed attorney for over 22 years. I'm sorry you're dealing with this situation, and I'll do everything I can to help.

You're looking to use a small asset affidavit to release your father-in-law's assets to his only son, but you're unsure about the existence of a savings account. Is that right?

What's your main concern right now?

Thank you for clarifying that. That's very helpful and gives me a much better understanding. I'm putting together your answer and I expect to have it to you very shortly.

I can tell how much you're trying to handle this carefully and respectfully. Losing someone is hard enough without having to sort through uncertainty about bank accounts and possible insurance benefits. From what you shared, your father-in-law passed away without a will or trust, and you're trying to use a small estate affidavit to release any funds that might still be under his name. In situations like this, state "small estate" or "small asset" laws, often found in state probate codes, can allow heirs to collect limited assets without going through full probate. It's meant for circumstances just like yours, when there are modest assets and no complicated estate planning in place. Let's go over what you can do next.

One good first step is to contact the bank's estate or deceased customer department. Explain that your father-in-law has passed, that you are managing his affairs through a small estate affidavit, and that you're checking whether any other accounts, like savings, CDs, or safe deposit boxes, exist under his Social Security number. Most banks will not give you account details on the first call, but once you provide a death certificate and the affidavit, they can tell you what assets are on file and how to claim them. This option ensures you're thorough and makes sure no money or account is overlooked.

Another step you can take involves the possible federal life insurance benefit you mentioned through FERS. If your father-in-law worked in a position that provided federal employee insurance coverage, contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Retirement Services division. They handle Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) claims, which are governed under (5 U.S.C. § 8705), the federal statute setting out who is entitled to FEGLI proceeds and in what order. You can start by calling their help line or filling out the "Claim for Death Benefits" (Form FE-6) through the OPM website. You'll need a copy of the death certificate and his Social Security number. Even if you don't have exact policy numbers, this information is often enough for them to search records.

You may also want to obtain a copy of your father-in-law's full Social Security statement or check with the local SSA office. While Social Security doesn't hold bank accounts, they sometimes show payment histories that hint at direct deposit destinations. This could help confirm if the checking account you already know about was his only active one or if deposits ever went elsewhere, like to a savings account.

Given your goal to finish this process efficiently, I would recommend starting with the bank's deceased account department. They can quickly confirm what accounts exist and guide you through using the small estate affidavit to release any funds. After that, submit an inquiry to OPM about possible life insurance benefits, since that can sometimes take a little longer to process. Please let me know if these options make sense to you. I am happy to explain anything further. It's important to me that you fully understand your choices.

Most welcome. I just want to make sure everything is clear and that you're comfortable with the information I've provided. Is there anything you'd like me to clarify or any other questions you'd like to ask? If everything makes sense, you can simply reply "all clear." Thank you, and please don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything else.

Perfect, thank you!