Short answer

If a personal representative or administrator closed a decedent’s joint bank account without notifying heirs, you may be able to recover funds or compel an accounting under Kentucky probate law. Start by identifying the account type, collecting bank records and letters of administration, and then seek an accounting or file a petition in probate court to compel turnover, request removal, or pursue a civil claim for conversion or breach of fiduciary duty.

Detailed answer — what you need to know and the steps to take

1. Identify how the account was held

Not all joint accounts are the same. The legal outcome depends on the account title and how the bank treated it:

• Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship (JTWROS): the surviving joint owner typically owns the funds automatically outside probate.
• Payable‑on‑Death (POD) or beneficiary designation: the named payee receives funds at the account owner’s death.
• An account in the decedent’s name with an authorized signer: the authorized signer is not an owner and cannot convert the funds.

Ask the bank for a certified statement showing the exact account title, signature cards, beneficiary designations, and transaction history. That record is the starting point for any challenge.

2. Confirm who is the court‑appointed personal representative

If probate opened, the court issues letters of administration or letters testamentary to the personal representative. Obtain a copy of those letters from the probate clerk or request that the bank provide a copy they relied on when allowing the account closure. Kentucky probate procedure and the authority of administrators is set out in the Kentucky Revised Statutes (see the probate statutes): KRS Chapter 395.

3. Ask the administrator and the bank for documentation — in writing

Send a written request (certified mail if possible) to:

• The bank: request account title information, the closing instructions, copies of checks/transfers, and who signed the closure.
• The administrator: request an accounting, copies of the letters of administration, and an explanation for why the account was closed and funds were distributed.

4. Grounds to challenge — common legal theories in Kentucky

Potential causes of action include:

• Failure to provide required notice or improper handling of estate assets by a personal representative under Kentucky probate rules (seek an accounting).
• Breach of fiduciary duty if the administrator misapplied estate assets.
• Conversion or civil claim for wrongful taking if someone removed funds that belonged to the estate or heirs.

These remedies typically proceed in the probate court where the estate is administered. The probate clerk’s office or the Kentucky Court of Justice site can explain filing procedures: Kentucky Court of Justice (see the probate/self‑help pages).

5. Procedures you can use in probate court

• File a petition to compel an accounting — asks the court to force the administrator to produce records showing how funds were handled.
• File a petition for interim relief or turnover — to recover estate property that was wrongfully removed.
• Move to remove the personal representative — if there is clear evidence of misconduct or failure to perform duties.
• Bring a separate civil action for conversion or breach of fiduciary duty if necessary (but many disputes about estate handling are resolved inside the probate case).

6. Evidence and documents to collect

• Certified death certificate.
• Bank records: signature card, account opening documents, beneficiary/POD forms, transaction histories, and closure document.
• Probate filings: petition for administration, letters of administration, inventories, accountings already filed.
• Communications: emails, letters, or notes showing who was notified and what instructions were given.

7. Timing and immediate steps

Act quickly to preserve evidence and any remaining funds. If funds are still in the administrator’s control, the court can freeze assets on an emergency basis. Even if funds were already withdrawn, rapid action improves your chances of recovery and of persuading the court to impose sanctions or remove the administrator.

8. When to contact a lawyer and what to expect

If the administrator refuses to produce records or if sizable assets are missing, consult a probate or estate litigation attorney. If you hire counsel, be prepared to provide the documents listed above. A lawyer can help draft and file the appropriate petition in probate court and represent you at hearings.

Helpful Hints

• Document every communication in writing and keep certified mail receipts and delivery confirmations.
• Request bank records in writing. Banks often retain the account signature card and transactions indefinitely.
• Check whether the account was truly an ownership interest or simply an authorized signatory arrangement.
• Contact the probate clerk’s office where the decedent lived to request copies of all estate filings and to learn local filing procedures.
• If the administrator used bank powers improperly, ask the probate court for a forensic accounting.
• Consider alternative dispute resolution (mediation) if the estate parties want to avoid contested litigation.
• Keep in mind the cost of litigation versus the assets at stake; small‑value disputes are sometimes resolved by demand letters backed by the threat of court action.
• Find an attorney by searching the Kentucky Bar Association or local county bar referral service and ask any prospective lawyer about their experience handling probate accountings and fiduciary disputes.

Where to learn more and start filing: review Kentucky probate statutes and local court rules at the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission’s statutes site: Kentucky Revised Statutes, and consult the Kentucky Court of Justice website for probate procedures and local court contact information.

Final note and disclaimer

This information is educational only and is not legal advice. It explains possible paths to challenge an administrator’s actions in Kentucky but does not replace consultation with a licensed attorney who can analyze the specific facts and represent you in court.