Start with the bank's estate department, not a regular branch
Call the bank's main customer service line and ask for the estate or deceased account department. Do not visit a branch or call a local number — those staff cannot process a closed account and will transfer you anyway. The estate department handles this work every day and knows what documents they need from you.
Have the account number and the deceased person's full name ready when you call. The bank will ask who you are and what authority you have to close the account — typically executor of the will, next of kin, or power of attorney. Be honest about your role; the bank will verify it against documents you send later.
The bank will tell you whether the account is frozen already. Many banks freeze accounts automatically when they learn of a death, but some do not. If it is not frozen and you are not the account holder, ask the bank to freeze it immediately to prevent unauthorized withdrawals.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the bank's estate department by phone, not a branch, and have the account number and deceased person's full name ready.
- The bank will ask for a death certificate, your identification, and proof of your authority — usually a will, power of attorney, or court order naming you executor.
- Most banks require an original or certified death certificate, not a photocopy, so order multiple copies from the vital records office now.
- The bank will settle any outstanding checks, automatic payments, and fees before closing, which can take two to eight weeks depending on the bank and account activity.
- If the account has a surviving joint owner, that person can keep the account open; the bank will remove the deceased person's name.
What documents the bank will ask for
Every bank requires an original or certified death certificate. A photocopy is not enough. Order at least three or four copies from the county vital records office or the state health department where the person died — you will need copies for the bank, the IRS, insurance companies, and possibly creditors. The vital records office can mail them to you, but ordering online or by phone is faster than visiting in person.
You will also need to prove your identity with a driver's license or passport, and proof that you have authority to close the account. This proof depends on your role. If you are the executor named in a will, bring a copy of the will and the court document that officially named you executor (called letters testamentary or letters of administration). If there is no will and you are the next of kin, the bank may ask for a court order or an affidavit stating that you are the closest relative. If you held power of attorney over the account while the person was alive, bring that document — though power of attorney ends at death, some banks will accept it as proof you managed the account.
Some banks ask for a completed form that you sign in front of a notary. Ask the estate department whether they will email or mail the form to you, or whether you can pick it up at a branch. Having the form in advance saves a trip.
How long the process takes and what happens to the money
Closing an account typically takes two to eight weeks. The bank must wait for any outstanding checks to clear, cancel automatic payments, and settle any fees or overdrafts. If the account has a large balance or complex activity, it may take longer. Ask the estate department for a timeline specific to this bank and account.
The bank will not release the money to you during this time. Instead, the funds sit in the account while the bank processes the closure. Once the account is closed, the bank will issue a check to the estate or to you as executor — depending on the bank's procedure and whether there is a will. If there is no will and no executor, the bank may require a court order before releasing funds, or they may hold the money until the state's intestacy laws determine who inherits.
If the account had automatic payments set up — such as a mortgage, utility bill, or insurance premium — those will stop when the account closes. Contact those companies before the account closes and give them a new payment method, or the payments will fail and late fees will accrue.
Joint accounts and accounts with a named beneficiary
If the deceased person held the account jointly with a surviving spouse or family member, that person can keep the account open. The bank will remove the deceased person's name and the surviving owner becomes the sole owner. You do not need to close the account in this case — the surviving owner can do it themselves later if they choose, or keep it open. Bring the death certificate and the surviving owner's identification to the bank.
If the account had a named beneficiary — a person or entity listed on the account to receive the funds after death — the bank will transfer the balance directly to that beneficiary, bypassing the estate entirely. This is called a payable-on-death (POD) account. The beneficiary will need to contact the bank with the death certificate and their identification to claim the funds. You do not need to close the account; the bank closes it automatically once the funds are transferred.
What to do if the account is overdrawn or has unpaid fees
If the account is overdrawn or has accumulated fees, the bank will deduct those from any remaining balance before closing. If there is no balance, the bank may pursue the estate for the debt. As executor, you are responsible for paying the bank's claims from estate funds before distributing money to heirs.
If you are not the executor and the bank contacts you about an overdraft, do not pay it yourself unless you are certain you are liable. The bank should pursue the estate, not individual family members. If you receive a bill from the bank after the account closes, contact the estate department and ask them to explain the charge — it may be an error or a fee that should have been waived.
If the bank cannot find the account or says it is already closed
Some banks close accounts automatically after a period of inactivity, or the account may have been closed years ago. Ask the estate department to search their records by the deceased person's Social Security number and date of birth, not just the account number. If the account was closed long ago, the bank may have no record of it.
If the bank says the account does not exist but you have statements or a checkbook, the account may have been transferred to another bank during a merger. Ask the estate department which bank acquired this branch or account, and contact that bank instead. If you cannot locate the account, contact your state's unclaimed property program — dormant accounts are sometimes turned over to the state after five to ten years of inactivity.
Closing accounts at multiple banks
If the deceased person held accounts at more than one bank, you will need to contact each bank separately. Each has its own estate department and its own timeline. Start with the largest accounts first, as they are more likely to have complex activity. Keep a list of which banks you have contacted, what documents you sent, and when you expect the account to close.
If you are the executor of an estate with many accounts, consider hiring an estate attorney or probate specialist to handle the closures. The cost is usually a few hundred dollars, but it saves time and reduces the risk of missing a deadline or overlooking a creditor's claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access the account before it closes to pay bills or funeral expenses?
Not usually. Once the bank knows of the death, the account is frozen and you cannot withdraw money without a court order. If bills need to be paid immediately, contact the bank's estate department and ask whether they will release funds for documented funeral expenses or essential bills. Some banks will do this; others will not.
What if I find out about the account after the funeral and bills are already paid?
Contact the bank immediately. The account may still be open and unfrozen if the bank has not yet learned of the death. If you paid funeral or medical bills from your own money, keep the receipts — you may be able to recover those costs from the estate.
Do I need a lawyer to close the account?
Not for a simple account with no complications. If the account is large, there are disputes over who inherits, or the bank is asking for a court order, a lawyer can help. Many estate attorneys offer flat fees for this work.
What happens if there is no will and no executor?
The bank will hold the funds until the state probate court appoints an administrator or until the next of kin provides a court order or affidavit. This can take weeks or months. Contact the probate court in the county where the person died to start this process.
Should I close the account or let it sit if there is money in it?
Close it. An open account in a deceased person's name can cause problems with creditors, tax authorities, and heirs. The sooner you close it, the sooner the funds can be distributed according to the will or state law.