Frozen Account

An account on which funds may not be withdrawn until a lien is satisfied and a court order or other legal process makes the account available for withdrawal (e.g., the account of a deceased person is frozen pending a court order distributing the funds to the new lawful owners).

An account may also be frozen when there is a dispute regarding the true ownership of an account. The bank will freeze the account to preserve the existing funds until legal action can determine the lawful owner.

An account on which funds may not be withdrawn, and/or deposited, until a lien is satisfied and a court order or other legal process makes the account available for withdrawal (e.g., the account of a deceased person is frozen pending a court order distributing the funds to the new lawful owners). An account may also be frozen when there is a dispute regarding the true ownership of an account. The financial institution will freeze the account to preserve the existing funds until legal action can determine the lawful owner.