How to Close a Bank Account After a Death

How a bank account is titled determines everything about what happens to it after the owner dies — some accounts pass automatically, others require a court-appointed executor to step in. Here's how to tell which applies, and exactly what the bank will ask for.

How the account is titled determines what happens next

A joint account with rights of survivorship passes automatically to the surviving owner — no executor, probate, or bank paperwork required beyond notifying the bank of the death for their records.

A payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) account goes directly to the named beneficiary once the bank confirms the death, bypassing probate entirely.

An account held solely in the deceased person's name is the one that requires an executor or administrator to act — this is the account this guide is really about.

What the bank will ask for

For a sole-name account, the executor or administrator needs Letters Testamentary (if there was a will) or Letters of Administration (if there wasn't) — the court document proving legal authority to act for the estate — plus a certified copy of the death certificate and valid photo ID.

The closing process

Once the bank verifies your authority, you'll generally have two options: request a check payable to the estate, or transfer the funds directly into an estate bank account you've opened. Funds should never sit in the deceased person's individual name once probate is underway.

Why acting promptly matters

Fraud prevention — once a death becomes public (through an obituary or public probate filing), dormant accounts become a target for identity theft.
The bank's "right of setoff" — if the deceased had a loan, credit card, or line of credit at the same bank, the bank may apply the account balance against that debt before releasing the rest. Ask about this directly before requesting closure.

Let Estate Assist handle the rest

Estate Assist reads the estate's documents, builds a personalized checklist, and drafts the letters you need — so you're not piecing this together alone.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to do anything to a joint bank account?

Not urgently. A joint account with rights of survivorship passes to the surviving owner automatically. It's still good practice to notify the bank of the death so their records are accurate.

What if no executor has been appointed yet?

The bank generally won't act on a sole-name account until someone has been legally appointed — usually by petitioning the probate court for Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. This is often one of the first steps after a death.

Can I use the deceased person's old login to manage the account myself?

This is not recommended, even if you have the password. Accessing an individual account without legal authority can complicate estate administration and, depending on the bank and state, may raise unauthorized-access concerns. Wait until you have Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.