Senior citizens often add another person's name (a child or other relative) to a bank account, so that if the Senior Citizen becomes disabled or is hospitalized, the other person can write checks to pay the Senior's bills.  Another reason may be to avoid probate. But there are risks to adding another person to your account that you shoud be aware of.  Here are some of the frequently asked questions about joint ownership of bank accounts:

• Do I still have sole control of my account if I add a joint owner?
• Is it alright to add a joint owner if it is someone I know I can trust? Are there risks?
• Do I have other options that would avoid probate and get my bills paid if I became disabled?
• Would you recommend adding a joint owner to my account? 

Click here, to read all the questions and answers for joint ownership of bank accounts.