How to Close and Transfer Accounts After a Death

In the weeks and months following a death, one of the most time-consuming tasks is closing or transferring the dozens of accounts, subscriptions, and financial relationships a person accumulates over a lifetime. This guide gives you a prioritized, practical roadmap for working through them.

Note: Always bring certified copies of the death certificate — not photocopies — when contacting financial institutions. Most institutions require original certified copies for any account action.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

• Certified copies of the death certificate (at least 8–10)
• Your government-issued ID
• Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court (if you are the executor/administrator)
• The deceased's Social Security number
• Account numbers, policy numbers, or login credentials where available

Priority 1: Bank Accounts

Joint accounts

If you are a joint account holder, the account continues in your name. Visit a branch with the death certificate to update the account, remove the deceased's name, and obtain a new debit card if needed.

Sole accounts (deceased only)

These accounts are part of the estate. The executor or administrator must present Letters Testamentary/Administration and a death certificate to the bank. The bank will typically:

• Freeze the account to prevent unauthorized withdrawals
• Release funds to the estate account controlled by the executor
• Allow payment of outstanding checks already issued by the deceased

POD (Payable on Death) accounts

If the account has a named POD beneficiary, that person can claim the funds directly by presenting the death certificate and their ID — no probate needed.

Priority 2: Credit Cards and Credit Accounts

Contact each credit card company to report the death. Provide the account number (from a recent statement) and a death certificate. Important points:

• Authorized users — if you were only an authorized user (not the account owner), your access is revoked at death. Do not use the card after the cardholder's death.
• Joint account holders — you remain responsible for the account balance. Update the account to your name only.
• Sole accounts — the balance becomes a debt of the estate, to be paid from estate assets during probate. You are generally not personally responsible for a spouse's or parent's credit card debt unless you co-signed.

Priority 3: Investment and Brokerage Accounts

Contact each brokerage firm. For accounts with TOD (Transfer on Death) designations, the beneficiary can claim assets with a death certificate and claim form — no probate required. For accounts without TOD designations, the executor must use Letters Testamentary to access and transfer funds through the estate.

Do not sell or transfer any securities until you understand the tax implications — specifically the stepped-up cost basis rules. See our tax obligations guide.

Priority 4: Retirement Accounts (IRA, 401k)

These require careful handling — refer to the beneficiary designation on file. Contact the plan administrator for instructions. Beneficiaries generally have several options for how to receive the funds, with different tax implications for each. Strongly recommend consulting a financial advisor before taking any distributions.

Priority 5: Digital Accounts and Subscriptions

Email accounts

Major providers (Google, Apple, Microsoft) have memorialization or deletion processes. These typically require a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased. Policies vary — check each provider's help center.

Social media accounts

• Facebook/Instagram: Can be memorialized (preserved as a memorial page) or removed. An authorized representative can request this via Facebook's Special Request form.
• X (Twitter): Accounts can be deactivated upon request with a death certificate
• LinkedIn: Submit a report to have the profile removed

Streaming and subscription services

Cancel Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and any other recurring subscriptions to avoid continued billing. Check bank and credit card statements for all recurring charges. Contact each service's customer support or cancel via the account settings.

Apple ID and Google Account

Apple's Digital Legacy program allows nominated "Legacy Contacts" to access a deceased person's iCloud account. Google's Inactive Account Manager serves a similar function. If these weren't set up in advance, access may require going through Apple or Google's official bereavement process with legal documentation.

Priority 6: Other Important Accounts

• PayPal, Venmo, Cash App: Each has a bereavement process. Contact customer support with death certificate and executor documentation to close accounts and retrieve any balance.
• Amazon: Contact Amazon customer service to close the account. Gift card balances are part of the estate.
• Loyalty and rewards programs: Airlines (frequent flyer miles), hotel rewards, and store points — some programs allow transfer to family members; others cancel at death. Contact each program.
• Cryptocurrency: Requires access to the deceased's private keys or seed phrase. Without these, crypto holdings may be unrecoverable.

Protecting Against Identity Theft

As you close accounts, take steps to protect the deceased's identity. Notify the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) of the death so they can place a deceased indicator on the credit file, which prevents new accounts from being opened in their name. See our guide to protecting a deceased person's identity.

For the broader picture of practical tasks after a death, see our guide to handling practical matters after loss.