Can I challenge an administrator who closed my father’s joint bank account without notifying heirs?

Short answer: Yes — in Connecticut you can challenge the closing or distribution of a decedent’s account, but your next steps depend on whether the account was truly a joint account with rights of survivorship, whether someone was appointed as the estate’s administrator by the Probate Court, and whether funds were taken. Act quickly: evidence disappears, and some remedies are time-sensitive.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney‑client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, contact a Connecticut probate or estate litigation attorney.

Detailed answer — what to know and what to do under Connecticut law

1. First, identify what actually happened and who the “administrator” is

Two different meanings of “administrator” matter here:

Bank employee or bank‑appointed reviewer who closed or froze an account for compliance reasons.
A Probate Court‑appointed administrator (an estate fiduciary) who is handling the decedent’s assets under a probate appointment.

Which situation applies determines the right steps and the legal forum.

2. Confirm the account type: joint account vs. estate asset

In Connecticut, a true joint account with rights of survivorship generally passes immediately to the surviving joint owner on death. If the joint account had a payable‑on‑death (POD) designation, the named beneficiary receives the funds outside probate. If the account was solely in the decedent’s name, it belongs to the estate and the Probate Court process controls the distribution.

If a bank closed the account without notifying heirs, it may be following its own risk or anti‑fraud procedures; but if someone with no legal authority withdrew funds, that could be wrongful.

3. Documents to gather now (do this immediately)

Certified copy of the death certificate.
All account statements for the account in question for the prior 12–24 months.
The bank agreement and signature card for the account (shows whether it was joint, POD, or individual).
Any probate paperwork showing a Probate Court appointment (Letters of Administration, Letters Testamentary) or filed probate case number.
Communications from the bank or from the administrator (emails, letters, notes about in‑person conversations).

4. Contact the bank and request an explanation and records

Ask the bank, in writing, for:

The reason the account was closed or frozen.
A copy of the signature card and account agreement they rely on.
An account ledger showing all withdrawals and deposits since your father’s death.
Any written authorization used to close/distribute the account.

Keep a paper trail. If the bank refuses to provide records, note who you spoke with and when. Banks often comply quickly when asked formally.

5. If someone appointed by Probate Court handled the account

If the Probate Court appointed an administrator (sometimes called a personal representative), that person has fiduciary duties to the estate and the heirs. You can:

Request a formal accounting from the administrator. Connecticut probate procedures permit beneficiaries to demand accountings from a fiduciary handling estate assets.
File a petition in Probate Court asking the court to order an accounting, to rescind improper transfers, or to surcharge the administrator for any losses caused by misconduct.
Ask the Probate Court for emergency relief (for example, a temporary order freezing remaining estate funds) if you can show an immediate risk of loss.

For general Probate Court information and forms from the Connecticut Judicial Branch, see: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/.

6. If the bank (not a probate administrator) closed the account or paid out funds

Two common scenarios:

If the bank paid a surviving joint owner who was entitled to the funds, that payment is often valid outside probate.
If the bank paid someone who was not legally entitled (for example, an unrelated person or someone misrepresenting authority), you can ask the bank for a reversal and produce documentation showing the rightful owner(s). If the bank refuses, you can pursue court action to recover funds.

7. Possible legal remedies in Connecticut

Petition for an accounting and petition to remove or surcharge an administrator in Probate Court.
Civil lawsuit for conversion, breach of fiduciary duty, or unjust enrichment in Superior Court if funds were taken improperly.
Emergency injunctive relief to preserve assets (filed in Probate Court or Superior Court depending on the circumstances).
Criminal complaint to local police if theft appears likely. Criminal action is separate from civil remedies.

8. Practical steps and timing

Within days: collect documents and send a written records request to the bank. If there is a Probate appointment, file a request with the probate clerk for case records and filings.
Within 2 weeks: if you see unauthorized withdrawals, send a demand letter to the bank and the administrator (if one exists) asking for return of funds and an accounting. Use certified mail and keep proof of delivery.
Within 30 days: if no satisfactory response, consult a Connecticut probate attorney about filing a petition in Probate Court or a civil complaint. Many reliefs become harder the longer you wait.

9. Costs, evidence, and what to expect

Probate petitions and civil suits carry filing fees and may require attorney representation. Evidence that helps your case includes bank ledgers, statements, signature cards, communications, and any proof that the person who closed the account lacked authority. Courts expect clear documentation of ownership and of any administrator’s actions.

10. How the Probate Court generally treats joint accounts

Connecticut courts treat the legal nature of the bank account as central. If the account is a joint account with rights of survivorship, ownership commonly passes to the survivor outside probate. If the account is solely in the decedent’s name or the joint designation is legally ambiguous, the funds are part of the estate and subject to probate distribution. If there is a dispute, the Probate Court can adjudicate ownership and order recovery.

For Connecticut probate statutes and explanations, see the Connecticut General Assembly and the Judicial Branch resources: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/ and https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/.

Helpful Hints

Act fast. Freeze or preserve evidence quickly; banks and people move assets fast.
Ask for certified copies of the bank’s records and the administrator’s accounting.
Keep a written record of every call and visit, including names and times.
If you are a named surviving joint account holder, bring the bank the death certificate and any ID showing your name on the account.
If the administrator was appointed by the Probate Court, contact the probate clerk’s office for case numbers and filings; those records help your petition for an accounting.
Consider a lawyer early if significant sums are involved or if you suspect theft or misuse. An attorney can draft a demand letter and file emergency motions to preserve assets.
Criminal charges and civil recovery are separate. Filing a police report may be appropriate if funds were stolen, but you still must pursue civil remedies to recover money for the estate or heirs.

Where to get more help in Connecticut

Start with the Probate Court in the district where your father lived. The Connecticut Judicial Branch probate pages include local probate office contacts and commonly used forms: https://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/. For statute text and to research specific Connecticut statutes governing probate and fiduciary duties, use the Connecticut General Assembly website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/.

If the matter involves complicated factual disputes, large sums, or an appointed administrator who refuses to account, consult a Connecticut attorney who handles probate or estate litigation — an early consultation can identify the fastest path to preserve assets.