Q: Should I add my adult child’s name to my bank account if I become too ill to pay my own bills?

A: No, under Georgia law if a bank account has co-owners or is in joint names upon the death of one joint owner, the funds in that account (in almost every case) automatically and immediately belong to the surviving joint owner. They do not pass under the terms of the deceased joint owner’s Will or Trust. The better way to authorize a child to pay for bills in the event of illness is to sign a good power of attorney.