My wife died and left everything to me. Everything has been changed to my name except for our house and one checking account. How best to handle those assets?

Q: My wife passed away last May with a will leaving everything to me. Most of our financial accounts were held as joint tenants with right of survivorship. Our home was jointly owned. Everything has been changed to my name except for our house and one checking account. How critical is it to redo this account and the home?

A: You may be able to go for years or decades with your wife's name on the checking account and on the title to your house. But at some point, you or the beneficiaries of your estate will want to close the checking account, sell the home or refinance your mortgage........

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