Bank denies widow access to late husband’s savings

Julia Bolena’s husband of 53 years passed away 16 months ago of cancer. Since then, the Jacksonville, Florida woman has been trying to access her deceased husband’s Wells Fargo savings account. Bolena was named on her husband’s checking account with the bank, but in regards to his savings account she said, "He failed to put that particular account in trust for me. I am sure it was just a misunderstanding on his part, being the other account was in trust for me. He assumed it all went together." While the savings account only holds $273, it is money that the widow can use as she lives on a small fixed income.

Bolena feels that she has demonstrated that she is the rightful heir. She called the probate court for help and said, “The lady kind of laughed and she said well they know that anything under $500 is up to the bank's discretion to give it to you. But we can give you a letter, but it will cost you $250 for the letter." So she is stuck and further frustrated because Wells Fargo continues to deduct a $5 service charge from the savings account every month. "They won't let me close out the account and give it to me, but they’ll take the, they'll take the service charge every month." But is the bank wrong? Wells Fargo spokesperson Kathy Harrison said, "The issue is she was not joint on the account, as she was on the checking; nor was the account set up as a 'payable on death' account which means she does not have ownership rights." Harrison said that Bolena can access the account if she provides “power of attorney” or “executor” papers that would give her authority of the accounts. Julia Bolena is now seeking pro bono help to attain those documents.