How to Close a Deceased Person's Bank Account

Closing or transferring a deceased person's bank accounts is one of the most common and essential tasks during estate administration. The process depends on how the account was set up — whether it was joint, had a beneficiary designation, or was a sole account. Here's how to handle each type.

Banking law and estate procedures vary by state. This guide covers general US principles. Consult an estate attorney for state-specific guidance.

Step 1: Notify the Bank

Contact the deceased person's bank (or credit union) to notify them of the death as soon as practical — ideally within the first week. Most major banks have a dedicated bereavement or estate services department. Go in person to the branch with:

• A certified copy of the death certificate
• Your government-issued photo ID
• The deceased's account numbers (if you have them)
• Letters testamentary or letters of administration (if you've been appointed executor)

Ask the representative to flag all accounts as deceased and to provide a list of all accounts held in the deceased's name, either solely or jointly.

Joint Accounts

Joint accounts with "right of survivorship" — the most common form of joint bank account — automatically pass to the surviving account holder(s) when one owner dies. The surviving owner gains full control of the account.

Process for surviving joint holders:

1. Visit the bank with the death certificate and your ID
2. Ask to remove the deceased's name from the account
3. The bank will update the account to reflect sole ownership

Joint accounts generally don't require probate and can be accessed immediately.

Accounts with Payable-on-Death (POD) Designations

A payable-on-death designation (sometimes called a beneficiary designation or Totten Trust) allows the account balance to transfer directly to the named beneficiary without probate.

Process for POD beneficiaries:

1. Visit the bank with the death certificate and your ID
2. Identify yourself as the POD beneficiary
3. Complete the bank's claim form
4. The bank will typically transfer the funds to you within a few days to two weeks

You do not need to be the executor to claim a POD account — this is between you and the bank.

Sole Accounts (No Joint Holder or Beneficiary)

Sole accounts without a POD designation become part of the estate and must be handled through the estate process — typically probate. The executor has authority over these accounts.

Process for sole accounts:

1. Open a probate case and obtain letters testamentary (or letters of administration if no will)
2. Bring the letters testamentary, death certificate, and your ID to the bank
3. Open an estate checking account in the name of the estate (e.g., "Estate of Jane Smith")
4. Transfer funds from the deceased's sole accounts into the estate account
5. Use the estate account to pay valid estate debts (see our bills and debt guide)
6. Distribute remaining funds to heirs as directed by the will or intestate succession law

Small Estate Exceptions

Many states have simplified procedures for small estates that allow banks to release funds without full probate. The threshold varies by state — typically from $20,000 to $100,000 total estate value. In these cases, an heir may be able to claim accounts by presenting a "small estate affidavit" — a sworn statement that the estate qualifies for simplified procedures and listing the heirs.

Ask the bank whether your state's small estate procedures apply and what documentation they require.

Stopping Automatic Payments

While managing accounts, identify all automatic payments and direct debits from the deceased's accounts. Stop those that are estate obligations and cancel those that are ongoing services no longer needed (subscriptions, gym memberships, etc.). See our article on canceling subscriptions after a death.

Safe Deposit Boxes

If the deceased had a safe deposit box at the bank, ask the bank about access procedures. In many states, executors can access a safe deposit box with letters testamentary. Some states allow access to locate a will, life insurance policies, or other key documents even before probate is opened. Ask the bank what their state's rules allow.

Account Interest and Final Statements

Request copies of account statements for the prior 12 months. These are valuable for the estate inventory, for identifying creditors and subscriptions, and for tax purposes. Banks are required to provide statements for authorized account holders and executors.

For the complete accounts management overview, see our managing accounts guide. For related tasks, see our articles on transferring joint bank accounts and closing credit cards after a death.