You cannot open a bank account in your parent's name without them present, but you can help them open one or manage an existing account with power of attorney
Banks require the account holder to be present in person or to sign documents themselves — they will not let you walk in and open an account using only your parent's name and information. If your parent is alive and mentally capable, they must either visit the bank themselves or sign a power of attorney document that gives you legal authority to act on their behalf. If your parent is incapacitated or deceased, the process changes entirely and involves court orders or probate.
The route you take depends on whether your parent can participate, whether they want you to manage money on their behalf, and whether you need to act immediately or have time to plan.
Key Takeaways
- A living parent must either open their own account in person or sign a power of attorney document that authorizes you to open and manage accounts for them.
- If your parent is in a hospital, nursing home, or homebound, many banks can send a representative to them or accept a notarized power of attorney by mail.
- A joint account with your parent's name and yours lets you both access the money, but your parent must still sign the paperwork themselves.
- If your parent has died, you cannot open an account in their name — you must work through probate or contact the bank about transferring funds to an estate account.
- Power of attorney documents must be signed by your parent in front of a notary public and should specify whether you can open new accounts or only manage existing ones.
Opening an account when your parent can sign documents
If your parent is able to visit a bank branch or sign paperwork, the simplest path is to have them open the account themselves. Bring a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of address (utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and your parent's Social Security number. Most banks complete this in 15 to 30 minutes.
If your parent prefers not to visit in person, ask the bank whether they accept a power of attorney document by mail. Some banks do; others require the account holder to appear in person or on a video call. A power of attorney is a legal document your parent signs in front of a notary public, giving you the authority to open and manage bank accounts on their behalf. Your parent can specify exactly what you are allowed to do — for example, open accounts, withdraw money, pay bills, or only view balances. This document protects both of you by making clear that your parent authorized the arrangement.
You can find notaries at banks, UPS stores, law offices, or online through your state's notary directory. The cost is usually $5 to $25 per signature. Your parent should keep a copy of the signed power of attorney and give you another copy to bring to the bank.
When your parent is homebound or in a care facility
If your parent cannot leave home or is in a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility, call the bank and ask whether they can send a representative to your parent's location. Some larger banks offer this service; smaller banks may not. If the bank will not come to you, ask whether they accept a notarized power of attorney by mail, or whether your parent can sign documents over a video call with a bank officer present.
Another option is to have a notary come to your parent's home or facility. Mobile notaries travel to you and charge $50 to $150 for the visit, depending on your location. Your parent can then sign the power of attorney at home, and you can take it to the bank to open the account.
If your parent is in a facility, check whether the facility has a notary on staff or can recommend one. Some nursing homes and assisted living centers have notaries available to residents at no cost.
Opening a joint account with your parent
A joint account is an account owned by two people — in this case, you and your parent. Both of you can deposit and withdraw money, and both names appear on the account. Joint accounts are useful if you want to help your parent manage money while keeping the account in both your names.
To open a joint account, both you and your parent must visit the bank together or both sign the paperwork. The bank will ask for both of your IDs, Social Security numbers, and proof of address. Some banks allow one person to sign in person and the other to sign remotely via video or mail, but policies vary.
Be aware that a joint account is not the same as power of attorney. With a joint account, you both own the money equally, which means creditors can go after the account to collect debts from either of you. With power of attorney, you are managing your parent's money on their behalf, and the money remains legally theirs. Discuss with your parent which arrangement makes more sense for your situation.
Using power of attorney to manage an existing account
If your parent already has a bank account and wants you to help manage it without opening a new one, a power of attorney can give you access to that account too. Your parent signs the power of attorney document, and you bring it to the bank. The bank will add you to the account, usually within a few business days.
Ask the bank what type of power of attorney they accept. Some banks have their own forms; others accept a general power of attorney from your state. A general power of attorney is usually cheaper and faster than a bank-specific form, and it works at most institutions.
Your parent can make the power of attorney durable, which means it stays in effect even if your parent becomes mentally incapacitated. A non-durable power of attorney ends if your parent loses capacity. If your parent is aging or has health concerns, a durable power of attorney is usually the better choice.
If your parent is incapacitated and has no power of attorney
If your parent cannot sign documents and never created a power of attorney, you will need a court order to manage their finances. This process is called guardianship or conservatorship, depending on your state. You file a petition in probate court, and a judge decides whether to appoint you as your parent's guardian or conservator.
Guardianship and conservatorship take time — usually two to four months — and cost money in court fees and attorney fees, which can range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on your state and whether your parent contests it. Once the court appoints you, you can open accounts and manage money on your parent's behalf.
Some states have a faster alternative called a limited power of attorney or healthcare power of attorney, which a court can grant without full guardianship. Ask a probate attorney in your state whether this option is available and whether it would let you access your parent's bank accounts.
If your parent has died
You cannot open a new bank account in your deceased parent's name. Instead, you must work through the probate process or contact the bank about an estate account.
If your parent left a will, the will names an executor — the person responsible for managing the estate and distributing money to heirs. The executor can open an estate account in the deceased parent's name to collect money owed to the estate, pay bills, and eventually distribute funds to beneficiaries. You will need a copy of the death certificate and the will to open an estate account.
If your parent died without a will, your state's probate court will appoint an administrator to manage the estate. The administrator follows the same process as an executor but is appointed by the court rather than named in a will.
If your parent's estate is small — under $15,000 in most states — you may be able to collect the money without going through probate. Ask the bank whether they offer a simplified process for small estates, and what documents they need.
Documents you will need
| Situation | Documents Needed |
|---|---|
| Parent opening account themselves | Government ID, proof of address, Social Security number |
| You opening account with power of attorney | Notarized power of attorney, your ID, your Social Security number, proof of address |
| Joint account with parent | Both IDs, both Social Security numbers, both proofs of address |
| Adding yourself to existing account via power of attorney | Notarized power of attorney, your ID |
| Guardianship or conservatorship | Court order from probate court, your ID |
| Estate account after parent's death | Death certificate, will or court order appointing administrator |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account for my parent if they have dementia?
If your parent can still understand what they are signing and the consequences, they can sign a power of attorney or open an account themselves with your help. If they cannot, you will need a court order for guardianship or conservatorship. Some states allow a simpler process called a limited power of attorney if your parent is diagnosed with dementia but can still sign documents. Talk to a probate attorney about the fastest option in your state.
What if my parent refuses to sign a power of attorney?
You cannot open an account or access their money without their permission or a court order. If you believe your parent is being financially abused or cannot manage money safely, you can petition the court for guardianship. This requires evidence that your parent is incapacitated and that guardianship is in their best interest.
Can I open a bank account in my parent's name after they die?
No. You can only open an estate account if you are the executor or administrator of the estate, and that account is in the estate's name, not your parent's personal name. If you need to access your parent's existing accounts, contact the bank with a death certificate and proof that you are an heir or executor.
Will opening a joint account affect my parent's benefits?
Joint accounts can affect Medicaid, SSI, and other means-tested benefits because the money is considered jointly owned. If your parent receives benefits, ask a benefits counselor before opening a joint account. A power of attorney may be a better option because the money stays legally your parent's.
How much does a power of attorney cost?
A notarized power of attorney costs $5 to $25 for the notary's fee. If you use an attorney to draft the document, expect to pay $200 to $500. Many states provide free or low-cost power of attorney forms through the state bar association or legal aid offices.