My parent added me as a joint owner of their checking account so I can write checks for them. What happens to the account if I die before my parent?

On your death, your parent automatically becomes the owner of the balance of the funds in the checking account regardless of what your Will says. Pennsylvania considers this a transfer of 50% of the balance of the account from you to your parent and imposes an inheritance tax on the transfer. Note: Even if the account was solely funded by your parent, there is a Pennsylvania inheritance tax on their own money! This result would be avoided if your parent named you as agent under a General Durable Power of Attorney giving you authority to sign their checks to pay their bills.

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