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 the legal right to handle the account — usually as executor of the estate, next of kin, or power of attorney. The bank will freeze the account to prevent withdrawals, verify your authority, and then either transfer remaining funds to the estate or to you, depending on how the account was titled and what state law allows.
The process takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the bank's procedures and whether the account is straightforward or has complications like pending transactions or joint ownership. Some banks move faster than others; a small local bank may finish in days, while a large national bank might take two to three weeks.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact the bank in writing or in person with an original or certified copy of the death certificate before any account changes can happen.
- The bank will ask for proof of your authority — typically the will, letters testamentary from probate court, or a power of attorney document — to confirm you can act on the account.
- Accounts titled in the deceased person's name alone go through probate and the estate; accounts with a named beneficiary or joint owner may pass directly to that person outside probate.
- You should stop any automatic payments or recurring charges linked to the account as soon as you notify the bank, or they may continue and overdraw the account.
- The bank will provide a final statement showing all transactions through the date of closure, which you will need for tax and estate records.
Gather the documents the bank will ask for
Start with an original or certified copy of the death certificate. You can get this from the county vital records office or the funeral home that handled arrangements. Most banks will not accept a photocopy or a digital image; they want an official document with a raised seal. Order multiple copies — you will need them for the bank, the IRS, insurance companies, and other institutions.
Next, gather proof of your authority to act. This depends on your role:
- If you are the executor named in the will, bring the will itself and letters testamentary (a court document proving the will was admitted to probate). If probate has not started yet, you may need to start it first.
- If there is no will and you are the next of kin, bring a letter of administration from the probate court, which names you as administrator of the estate.
- If you held power of attorney over the account while the person was alive, that document ends at death and does not give you authority to close the account. You will need one of the above instead.
- If you are a joint owner on the account, bring your ID and the death certificate; you may have fewer hoops to jump through, though the bank's rules vary.
Bring a photo ID for yourself as well. The bank will verify your identity before discussing the account.
Contact the bank and notify them of the death
Call the customer service number on the back of the deceased person's bank card or statement, or visit the bank branch in person if you have one nearby. Tell them you are calling to report a death and close an account. Many banks have a dedicated department for this; asking for "estate services" or "deceased account services" will route you faster.
The bank will ask for the account number and the deceased person's full name and date of birth. They will place a death hold on the account immediately, which freezes it and prevents any new transactions. This protects the estate from unauthorized withdrawals or fraud.
Ask the bank what documents they need in writing — do not rely on what you think they will ask. Different banks have different requirements, and some require you to mail documents while others let you bring them to a branch. Get the name and direct phone number or email of the person handling the account so you can follow up if things stall.
Understand what happens to the money in the account
Where the money goes depends on how the account was titled:
- Account in the deceased person's name alone: The funds become part of the estate and go through probate. The executor or administrator distributes them according to the will or state law. This can take months if probate is slow.
- Joint account with right of survivorship: The surviving joint owner owns the full balance automatically and can withdraw it without probate. The bank will remove the deceased person's name and the surviving owner keeps the account open or closes it on their own terms.
- Account with a named beneficiary (payable-on-death or POD account): The named beneficiary receives the balance directly, outside probate. The bank will transfer the funds to the beneficiary once the death certificate is verified.
- Account in a trust: The trustee controls the account and distributes funds according to the trust document. Probate is usually avoided.
If you are unsure how the account is titled, ask the bank. They can tell you from their records and explain which path applies.
Handle automatic payments and recurring charges
Before the account closes, identify any automatic payments or subscriptions linked to it — utilities, insurance, loan payments, streaming services, gym memberships, or anything else that debits the account regularly. If these are not stopped, they will continue to charge the account and may overdraw it, creating a mess for the estate.
Contact each company directly and ask them to stop the charges. Provide them with the death certificate if they ask. Do not rely on the bank to stop these for you; the bank's job is to close the account, not to track down every vendor.
If the deceased person had a mortgage, car loan, or credit card, those are separate accounts and do not close automatically. You will need to handle those separately through the lender or credit card company.
What to expect during the closing process
Once you submit the death certificate and proof of authority, the bank will verify the documents. This usually takes three to five business days. If everything is in order, they will prepare a final statement and arrange for the funds to be distributed.
If the account is straightforward — no disputes, no pending transactions, clear title — the bank may close it within a week. If there are complications, it can stretch to two or three weeks or longer. Large banks tend to move slower than small ones.
The bank will send you a final account statement showing all transactions through the closing date. Keep this for your records and for the estate tax return. If the account had interest income, the bank will also send a 1099-INT form for tax purposes.
What to do if the bank asks for probate court documents you do not have yet
If the deceased person's estate has not gone through probate yet, the bank may refuse to close the account without letters testamentary or a letter of administration from the court. In that case, you will need to start the probate process, even if the estate is small.
Contact the probate court in the county where the deceased person lived. Ask about simplified or summary probate procedures, which some states offer for small estates. These are faster and cheaper than full probate and may get you the court documents the bank needs within a few weeks instead of months.
If the estate is very small and your state allows it, you may be able to use an affidavit procedure instead of full probate. This is a sworn statement that you file with the court, and it can be enough for the bank to close the account. Ask the bank if they will accept an affidavit in place of letters testamentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money from the account before it closes?
Not usually. Once the bank is notified of the death, they place a hold on the account. You cannot withdraw funds unless you are a joint owner with survivorship rights or a named beneficiary on a POD account. If you are the executor or administrator, you can request that the bank release funds for estate expenses like funeral costs, but you need court approval or the bank's agreement in writing first.
What if the account has a negative balance when the person dies?
The overdraft becomes a debt of the estate. The executor or administrator must pay it from estate funds before distributing anything to heirs. If the estate does not have enough money to cover it, creditors may not get paid in full. The bank will not forgive the overdraft just because the account holder died.
Do I need a lawyer to close a bank account?
Not for a simple account closure. If the account is straightforward and you have the right documents, you can handle it yourself by contacting the bank. A lawyer is helpful if there are disputes over who owns the account, if probate is complicated, or if the bank refuses to close the account without court involvement.
How long do I have to close the account?
There is no legal deadline, but it is best to close it as soon as you can to prevent fraud, stop automatic charges, and settle the estate. If you wait months or years, the bank may close it themselves due to inactivity, though this varies by bank and account type.
What if the deceased person had multiple accounts at the same bank?
You will need to notify the bank about each account separately, though you can do this in one conversation or letter. Provide the account numbers and ask the bank to close all of them. The same documents — death certificate and proof of authority — will work for all accounts at that bank.