Gaines v. Vallance

CRIST, Judge.

Appellant, Ruth Vallance, appeals the trial court’s ruling that a checking account at Meramec Valley Bank belongs to the Estate of Harry Gaines, Sr., and not appellant. The trial court held appellant was not a joint tenant with right of survivorship in the account. We affirm.

Harry Gaines and Ruth Vallance shared a residence from September, 1987, until Harry’s death on March 20, 1989. They were never legally married. On July 22, 1987, prior to their cohabitation, Ruth’s name was added to one of Harry’s bank accounts.

Although Ruth testified she signed a signature card, the bank was…