ATF on Checking account.

The son is probably acting as the trustee or other fiduciary of the account. The power of attorney was no longer valid upon the death of the principal.

It means As Trustee For. You'll have to check with the bank to see if they use ATF synonymously with POD (Pay on Death), or if they use ATF when there is an underlying trust document. If the former, the son would just need to present the death certificate and would receive the funds. If the latter, the distribution of the funds would depend on what the trust says. Also, the trust document would name a successor trustee, who would be responsible for managing/distributing the funds according to the terms of the trust.

I agree with Attorney Maastricht. The Power of Attorney is irrelevant once the principal passes away.

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