What you need to do first

The bank will not close the account on its own. You need to contact the bank directly and tell them the account holder has died. Call the main customer service number on the back of a card or statement, or visit a branch in person with a death certificate. The bank will freeze the account when ready — no one can withdraw money or make transfers — while you work through the next steps.

You do not need to be the executor of the estate to start this process. Any family member or person handling the deceased's affairs can make the initial call. The bank will ask you to verify who you are and confirm your relationship to the account holder. Have the account number ready, and be prepared to explain whether you are calling as a family member, executor, or someone else managing their finances.

Different banks have different procedures, but most will send you forms to complete. Some require you to visit a branch in person. A few will let you handle everything by mail or phone. Ask the bank which method is fastest for your situation — if the account is small or has no outstanding checks, the process can move quickly.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the bank as soon as you know about the death and provide a death certificate to freeze the account and prevent unauthorized access.
  • The bank will ask whether there is a will, a named beneficiary, or an estate being probated, because this determines who can withdraw the money.
  • If the account has a named beneficiary (payable-on-death or POD), that person can usually claim the money without going through probate.
  • If there is no beneficiary, the money becomes part of the estate and goes to whoever the will names or state law directs.
  • You will need the death certificate, the account number, and proof of your authority (will, court order, or power of attorney) to move forward.

Named beneficiaries and payable-on-death accounts

If the account was set up as payable-on-death (POD) or has a named beneficiary, that person can claim the money without waiting for probate. This is the fastest path. The beneficiary will need to bring the death certificate and a photo ID to the bank, sign some forms, and the bank will transfer the money to them directly.

The bank will ask the beneficiary to prove their identity and sign a statement saying they are the named beneficiary. Some banks require this to happen in person at a branch. Others will accept documents by mail. The money does not go through the estate — it passes directly to the beneficiary, which is why POD accounts are useful for people who want to avoid probate.

If there are multiple beneficiaries named on the account, the bank will explain how the money is divided. Some accounts split equally; others name specific amounts or percentages. The account paperwork will say which rule applies. If you cannot find the original account agreement, the bank can tell you who is named and in what order.

When there is no named beneficiary

If the account has no beneficiary, the money becomes part of the estate. This means it will be distributed according to the will, or if there is no will, according to your state's intestacy laws. The process is slower because the money cannot leave the bank until the bank knows who has authority to claim it.

The bank will ask whether the estate is going through probate. If it is, you will need to provide a court order or letters testamentary — a document from the probate court that names the executor and gives them power to manage the estate's assets. If probate is not happening (because the estate is small or the state allows a simpler process), you may be able to use an affidavit or small estate declaration instead.

Each state has different rules about how much money can be claimed without a full probate process. Some states allow estates under a certain dollar amount to skip probate entirely. Ask the bank what documents they need, and ask your state's probate court or a local legal aid office what process applies to this estate.

Documents the bank will ask for

You will always need an official death certificate. Order several copies — at least three — because the bank, the probate court, and other institutions may each need one. You can get copies from the county vital records office where the person died, or sometimes from the funeral home. There is usually a small fee per copy.

Beyond the death certificate, what the bank needs depends on whether there is a beneficiary and whether the estate is in probate. If a beneficiary is claiming the money, they need their photo ID and the death certificate. If the estate is in probate, you need the court order naming the executor. If you are using a small estate process, you need the affidavit or declaration your state requires.

The bank may also ask for a copy of the will, even if probate is not happening. This helps them understand the account holder's wishes and confirms who should receive the money. If you do not have the will, tell the bank — they can usually proceed without it, but it may slow things down.

What happens to money still in the account

Any money in the account at the time of death belongs to the estate or to the named beneficiary. The bank will not release it until the right person claims it. If there are outstanding checks or automatic payments set up on the account, the bank will handle those according to the account's balance and the order in which transactions clear.

If the account is overdrawn or has fees, the bank may deduct those from the balance before releasing money to the beneficiary or estate. Ask the bank about any outstanding charges when you call. Some banks will waive fees related to the account holder's death, but you have to ask.

If the account had a loan or line of credit attached to it, that debt does not disappear. The estate is responsible for paying it back from the account balance or other assets. The bank will explain what is owed and how it will be handled. If the estate does not have enough money to cover all debts, creditors are paid in a specific order set by law.

Closing the account after the money is claimed

Once the beneficiary or executor has claimed the money, the account will have a zero balance. The bank will close it automatically after a set period, usually 30 to 90 days. You do not have to do anything else. If you want to close it sooner, call the bank and ask them to close it when ready.

Before the account closes, make sure all outstanding checks have cleared and all automatic payments have stopped. If the account holder had direct deposit set up, notify their employer or the source of the income so payments stop going to that account. If they had automatic bill payments, those need to be redirected to a new account or canceled.

Keep records of the account closure for your files. Ask the bank for a final statement showing the account is closed and the balance is zero. This protects you if questions come up later about what happened to the money.

When the account is joint or has survivorship rights

If the account was held jointly with survivorship rights, the surviving owner automatically becomes the sole owner when the account holder dies. The bank will remove the deceased person's name from the account, but the account stays open. The surviving owner can continue using it normally.

Joint accounts without survivorship rights work differently. The deceased person's share becomes part of their estate, and the surviving owner's share stays with them. The bank will need to split the account or get a court order before releasing the deceased person's portion. This is more complicated and may require probate.

If you are not sure whether the account had survivorship rights, call the bank and ask. They can look up the original account agreement and tell you exactly how it was set up. This determines whether the surviving owner can keep the account or whether it needs to go through probate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to close a deceased person's bank account?

If there is a named beneficiary and no probate, it can take one to two weeks. If the estate is in probate, it depends on how long probate takes in your state — usually several months. If the account is small and your state allows a simplified process, it may take two to four weeks.

Can I withdraw money from the account before it is officially closed?

Not unless you are the named beneficiary or you have legal authority as the executor. The bank will freeze the account when you report the death. If you need money from the account to pay funeral expenses or estate bills, ask the bank or the probate court whether an advance is possible.

What if the account has a negative balance?

The estate is responsible for paying back the overdraft. The bank will deduct it from any other assets in the estate, or creditors may pursue the estate for payment. If the estate has no money, the debt may not be collected, but it depends on state law and the size of the debt.

Do I need a lawyer to close the account?

Not usually. If the account is small, has a named beneficiary, or the estate is straightforward, you can handle it yourself by calling the bank and providing the death certificate. If the estate is complicated or there are disputes, a lawyer can help, but many people do this without one.

What if I cannot find the death certificate?

Order copies from the county vital records office where the person died. This usually takes one to two weeks. In the meantime, call the bank and explain the situation — some banks will freeze the account and start the process while you get the certificate.