17:16I-12. Beneficial ownership of funds in multiple-party accounts

a. Payment made pursuant to subsection b. of this section, or pursuant to section 8, 9, 10 or 11 of this act or section 89, 90 or 91 of P.L. 1963, c. 144 (C. 17:12B-89 through C. 17:12B-91) discharges the financial institution from all claims for amounts so paid, whether or not the payment is consistent with the beneficial ownership of the account as between parties, P.O.D. payees, or beneficiaries, or their successors. The protection here given does not extend to payments made after a financial institution has received written notice from any party able to request present payment to the effect that withdrawals in accordance with the terms of the account should not be permitted. Unless the notice is withdrawn by the person giving it, the successor of any deceased party must concur in any demand for withdrawal, if the financial institution is to be protected under this section. No other notice or any other information shown to have been available to a financial institution shall affect its right to the protection provided here. The protection here provided shall have no bearing on the rights of parties in disputes between themselves or their successors concerning the beneficial ownership of funds in, or withdrawn from, multiple-party accounts. Financial institutions refusing or altering payment pursuant to written notice or order from any party able to request present payment shall not be liable to any other party to the account, or beneficiary thereof, by reason of such action.

b. When a beneficiary of a trust account, or a P.O.D. account payee, is under the age of 18 when the beneficiary or payee becomes entitled to payment as provided in this act, a state or federally chartered bank or savings bank in which the trust account or P.O.D. account is maintained shall make such payment (1) if a certificate of appointment of a guardian is filed with the bank or savings bank, to the guardian of the estate or to the guardian of the beneficiary or payee; or (2) if a certificate of appointment of a guardian is not filed with the bank or savings bank, the bank or savings bank shall prioritize payment as follows: (a) to the beneficiary or payee, if married; (b) to a parent or parents of the beneficiary or payee or to any person having the care and custody of the beneficiary or payee, with whom the beneficiary or payee resides; or (c) to the beneficiary or payee, when the beneficiary or payee attains the age of 18.

L. 1979, c. 491, s. 12. Amended by L. 1986, c. 171, s. 1, eff. Dec. 4, 1986.