What you need to do to close a deceased person's bank account
The bank will not close the account on its own. You need to contact the bank directly with a death certificate and proof that you have authority to act—usually either as the executor named in the will, as the next of kin under state law, or as a power of attorney if one was granted before death. The process takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the bank, whether there are outstanding checks or automatic payments, and whether the account is simple or has complications like joint ownership or pending transfers.
Start by calling the bank's customer service line and asking for the department that handles deceased account holders. Have the account number ready. The bank will tell you exactly what documents they need and whether you can do this over the phone, by mail, or in person. Some banks have a streamlined process; others require you to visit a branch.
Key Takeaways
- You must provide the bank with an original or certified copy of the death certificate before they will discuss the account or close it.
- The bank will ask for proof of your authority to act, such as an executor letter from probate court, a power of attorney document, or a court order naming you as administrator.
- If the account has automatic payments or pending checks, the bank may hold the account open for 30 to 90 days to let those clear before closing.
- Any remaining money in the account will be distributed according to the will, state law, or the account's beneficiary designation—not automatically to you.
- Joint accounts and accounts with named beneficiaries may pass directly to the other owner or beneficiary without going through the bank closure process.
Documents the bank will require
Every bank requires a certified copy of the death certificate. This is not the same as a photocopy. You can order certified copies from the county vital records office where the death occurred, or sometimes from the funeral home. Most banks want at least one certified copy, though some ask for two or three. Keep extra copies on hand because you will likely need them for other purposes as well.
The bank will also need proof that you have the legal right to close the account. This usually means one of the following: an executor letter (also called a certificate of authority) issued by the probate court if the estate went through probate; a court order naming you as administrator if there was no will; a power of attorney document if one was signed before death and you are the agent; or a succession affidavit if your state allows small estates to skip probate. If none of these exist, the bank may accept a notarized statement from the next of kin, though policies vary.
Bring a photo ID to prove your identity. If you are working with an attorney or a professional executor, they may be able to submit documents on your behalf, but the bank will still need originals or certified copies, not just email scans.
How to contact the bank and what to expect
Call the main customer service number on the back of a debit card, a recent statement, or the bank's website. Tell them you need to close a deceased person's account and ask to be transferred to the department that handles this—it may be called "deceased account services," "estate services," or "probate services." Write down the name and direct number of the person you speak with, along with the date and time of the call.
The bank will ask for the account number, the deceased person's full name and date of birth, and the date of death. They will then tell you what documents they need and how to send them. Some banks accept documents by mail; others require you to visit a branch in person. A few larger banks have an online portal where you can upload documents. Ask whether you can do everything by mail or whether a branch visit is mandatory.
If the account has automatic bill payments set up, the bank will likely ask you to provide a list of those payments so they can be stopped or transferred. If there are outstanding checks that have not yet cleared, the bank may hold the account open for 30 to 90 days to allow them to process. This is normal and protects both you and the bank from liability.
What happens to the money in the account
The bank does not decide who gets the money. That is determined by the will, state law, or the account's beneficiary designation. If the account has a named beneficiary (a feature offered by most banks), that person may be able to claim the money directly without waiting for the account to close. Ask the bank whether the account has a payable-on-death (POD) designation or a named beneficiary.
If there is no beneficiary designation, the money becomes part of the estate and is distributed according to the will or, if there is no will, according to your state's intestacy laws. This process can take weeks or months if the estate is in probate. The bank will not release funds until they receive the proper court order or documentation proving who is may have access to to them.
If you are the executor or administrator, you will need to provide the bank with documentation showing your authority before they release any funds. This is why the executor letter or court order is so important. Without it, the bank cannot legally give you the money, even if you are the spouse or adult child.
Joint accounts and accounts with beneficiaries
If the account was held jointly with another person, that person usually becomes the sole owner automatically upon death, and the account does not need to be closed—it simply transfers. However, you should still notify the bank of the death so they can update their records and remove the deceased person's name from the account. Some banks will do this automatically if you provide a death certificate; others require you to request it.
If the account has a payable-on-death (POD) beneficiary, that beneficiary can often claim the money directly by presenting the death certificate and a form to the bank, without waiting for probate or an executor letter. This is one of the fastest ways for money to reach the intended person. Ask the bank whether the account has this feature and, if so, who the named beneficiary is.
If the account is in a trust, the trustee (not the executor) has authority to close it. The process is similar, but you will need to provide the trust document and proof of your role as trustee instead of an executor letter.
Closing the account if there are complications
If the deceased person had debts, creditors may make claims against the estate, and the bank may freeze the account pending resolution. This is legal and protects the estate from being emptied before debts are paid. If this happens, work with the executor or an attorney to resolve creditor claims. The account will remain frozen until the probate court or the creditors release it.
If there is a dispute over who should inherit the money—for example, if multiple people claim to be the rightful heir—the bank will not close the account or release funds until the dispute is resolved, usually through probate court. Do not try to pressure the bank into releasing money during a dispute; they are protecting themselves and you by refusing.
If the account is overdrawn or has outstanding fees, the bank may deduct those from any remaining balance before closing. Ask the bank about any fees or charges on the account so there are no surprises when you receive the final balance.
Timeline for closing the account
If everything is straightforward—you have the proper documents, there are no disputes, and there are no automatic payments pending—the bank can close the account within a few business days to a week. However, if there are automatic payments or pending checks, the bank will typically hold the account open for 30 to 90 days to allow those to clear.
If the estate is in probate, the timeline depends on how long probate takes in your state and how quickly the court issues the executor letter. Probate can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months or longer, depending on the complexity of the estate and whether anyone contests the will.
Once the bank closes the account, they will send you a final statement showing the closing date and the final balance. Keep this for your records and for the estate's tax return if one is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close the account if I am not the executor?
Only if you have legal authority to act on behalf of the deceased person. This means you are the executor, administrator, trustee, power of attorney, or next of kin under state law. If none of these apply, you will need to go through probate court to get authority. The bank will not close the account or release money based on your relationship alone, even if you are the spouse or adult child.
What if the bank says they need documents I do not have?
Ask the bank to put their requirements in writing. If you do not have an executor letter because the estate did not go through probate, ask whether the bank will accept a succession affidavit, a notarized statement from the next of kin, or a court order from a simplified probate process. Different banks have different policies, and some are more flexible than others.
Do I have to close the account, or can I just leave it open?
You should close it to avoid ongoing fees, confusion, and potential fraud. However, if the account has a named beneficiary, you may be able to leave it open temporarily while the beneficiary claims the money directly. Ask the bank what happens if you do nothing—some banks will close inactive accounts automatically after a period of time, usually one to three years.
What if there is money left over after debts and taxes are paid?
The remaining money goes to whoever is named in the will, or to the heirs under state law if there is no will. As the executor or administrator, your job is to distribute it according to those instructions, not to keep it or decide who should get it.
Can I access the account before it is officially closed?
Not without proper authority. Once the bank is notified of the death, they will freeze the account and will not allow withdrawals until you provide proof of your legal right to act. This protects the estate and prevents fraud.