My brother just suddenly passed away. He didn't have a legal will or a power of attorney. How should we go about getting the money from his bank account?
Contact the bank. Many states have laws allowing a bank to pay over smaller deposit balances (the limits vary) to a funeral home for final expenses or to next of kin. The bank will know whether it has such a state law available to it, and will also know its own policy on following that law (it's usually something the bank may do, rather than something it must do).
If the bank can permit the transfer of those funds to a next of kin, it will also know which paperwork you'll need to provide. A certified copy of the death certificate and some documentation of kinship is usually needed, and there may be a waiting period.
If the bank is unable to assist you, either because of its policy or because of state law, your state will have a process for administration of your brother's estate, even though he left no will (a power of attorney would be worthless; they cease to be operative on the death of the person who granted them). Someone would have to petition the appropriate court (it's usually called a probate court) to be appointed the administrator or personal representative of the estate. That individual, once appointed by the court, would have authority to manage any funds or other property left behind by your brother.
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Contact the bank. Many states have laws allowing a bank to pay over smaller deposit balances (the limits vary) to a funeral home for final expenses or to next of kin. The bank will know whether it has such a state law available to it, and will also know its own policy on following that law (it's usually something the bank may do, rather than something it must do).