The bank needs a death certificate and proof you have authority to act

You cannot close a deceased person's bank account by phone or online. The bank will not process any request without a certified copy of the death certificate and documentation showing you have the legal right to handle their accounts. That documentation is usually either a will naming you as executor, a court order appointing you as administrator, or a power of attorney document the person signed while alive.

The process takes weeks, not days. Banks freeze accounts when they learn of a death, and the account remains frozen until the estate is settled or the account is formally closed. If the person left a will, you may need to go through probate first — a court process that can take months. If there is no will, your state's intestacy laws determine who has authority, and you may need a court order to prove it.

Start by calling the bank's customer service line and asking for the department that handles deceased account holders. Do not try to close it at a branch — they will direct you to a specialized team anyway. Have the account number and the person's full name ready.

Key Takeaways

  • You must provide a certified death certificate and proof of your legal authority — a will naming you as executor, a court order, or a power of attorney — before the bank will act.
  • The bank will freeze the account when it learns of the death, and it stays frozen until the account is closed or the estate is settled.
  • If the person left a will, you may need probate court to appoint you as executor before the bank will recognize your authority.
  • If there is no will, your state's intestacy laws determine who can close the account, and you may need a court order to prove it.
  • The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on whether probate is required and how quickly the bank processes documents.

What documents the bank will ask for

The bank needs the original or certified copy of the death certificate. A photocopy is not enough — it must be certified by the vital records office in the state where the person died. You can order certified copies from that office, usually online or by mail, for a small fee. Order multiple copies now; you will need them for other institutions too.

Next, the bank needs proof you have authority. If the person left a will, bring the original will and a court document showing you were appointed as executor. If there is no will, bring a court order appointing you as administrator or personal representative — the title varies by state. Some states allow you to skip probate if the estate is small; in those cases, you may need an affidavit signed by you and a witness, stating the estate value and your relationship to the deceased.

If the person gave you power of attorney before they died, bring that document. Power of attorney ends at death, but some banks will use it to verify your identity and relationship to the account holder. Bring a government-issued ID as well.

If there is a will and you are the executor

The will does not automatically give you authority. You must file it with the probate court in the county where the person lived, and the court must appoint you as executor. This is called "proving" the will. The process varies by state — some are straightforward and fast, others require notice to all heirs and creditors.

Once the court appoints you, you receive letters testamentary or letters of administration — a court document that proves your authority. Bring this to the bank along with the death certificate. The bank will then recognize you as the person authorized to close the account and distribute funds according to the will.

If the will names someone else as executor, that person must do this step, not you. If you believe the will is invalid or you have a claim against the estate, you will need to file that with the probate court before the account is closed.

If there is no will

Your state's intestacy laws determine who has the right to close the account. Usually it is the surviving spouse, then adult children, then parents, then siblings, in that order. The bank will tell you which category applies to you and what documents you need.

In many states, if the estate is small — the threshold varies, often between $5,000 and $25,000 — you can skip probate court entirely. Instead, you file a sworn statement (called an affidavit of small estate or similar) with the court, listing all the person's assets and debts. The court then issues a document authorizing you to collect and distribute the assets. This takes two to four weeks.

If the estate is larger, you must file for formal administration. The court appoints you as administrator, and you receive letters of administration. This process is longer and more formal, especially if there are creditors or disputes among heirs.

What happens to money in the account

The bank will not release funds until the account is formally closed and the estate is settled. If there are debts — credit cards, medical bills, a mortgage — those must be paid from the estate before heirs receive anything. If there is a will, you as executor decide the order of payment. If there is no will, your state's law determines the order.

Once debts are paid, remaining funds go to whoever the will names, or to the heirs under your state's intestacy law. The bank does not distribute funds directly to heirs; you do. You close the account, receive the balance, and then distribute it according to the will or the law.

If the account is joint — for example, a husband and wife — the surviving joint owner usually has the right to the full balance when ready, without waiting for probate. The bank may still require a death certificate to remove the deceased person's name, but the surviving owner can access the money right away. Check the account paperwork to see if it is joint or in the deceased person's name alone.

Timing and what to expect at each step

Getting the death certificate takes one to three weeks. Ordering it online is faster than by mail. While you wait, gather the will, any power of attorney documents, and the person's account statements.

If probate is required, filing and getting appointed takes four to twelve weeks, depending on your state and whether anyone contests the will. Some states have expedited processes for small estates that take only two to four weeks.

Once you have the court order and death certificate, send them to the bank. The bank then freezes the account (if it is not already frozen) and begins the closure process. This takes one to three weeks. The bank will send you a final statement showing the balance and any fees charged during the closure period.

The entire process from death to closed account typically takes two to four months if probate is required, or four to eight weeks if you can use a small estate process or if the account is joint.

Accounts with beneficiary designations

If the account has a named beneficiary — a payable-on-death (POD) designation or transfer-on-death (TOD) — the money bypasses probate and goes directly to the beneficiary. The bank will ask for the death certificate and the beneficiary's identification, and the funds transfer within one to two weeks.

You do not need a court order for this. The beneficiary can claim the money even if there is a will that says something different. If you are the beneficiary, bring your ID and the death certificate to the bank and ask for the POD or TOD payout. If you are the executor and someone else is the beneficiary, you will need to coordinate with them.

If there is no named beneficiary, the account is part of the estate and must go through the closure process described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I access the account before it is officially closed?

Not usually. Once the bank learns of the death, it freezes the account. You cannot withdraw money, pay bills from it, or transfer funds. The only exception is if you are a joint owner with survivorship rights, in which case you can access your portion when ready. Otherwise, you must wait until the account is closed and you have distributed the funds according to the will or the law.

What if the person owed money to the bank?

Overdraft fees, loan balances, and other debts the person owed to the bank are paid from the account balance before any remaining funds go to heirs. If the account does not have enough to cover the debt, the bank may pursue the estate or the heirs, depending on the type of debt and your state's law. Bring any loan documents or credit agreements to the bank when you close the account.

Do I need a lawyer to close the account?

Not always. If the estate is small, there is a will, or the account is joint, you can usually handle it yourself. If the estate is large, there are multiple heirs who disagree, or the will is contested, a probate attorney can guide you through the process. Many attorneys offer flat fees for straightforward estate closures. Your state bar association can refer you to one.

What if I cannot find the original will?

Contact the person's attorney, accountant, or financial advisor — they may have a copy. Check the person's safe deposit box or home files. If you truly cannot find it, you can file a petition with the probate court stating that the will is lost. The court may accept a copy or allow you to proceed under intestacy law. This adds time and complexity, so search thoroughly first.

How long do I have to close the account?

There is no legal important date, but the longer you wait, the more fees may accumulate. Some banks charge a monthly maintenance fee on frozen accounts. Close it as soon as you have the required documents and court orders. If you are waiting for probate, start the closure process as soon as the court appoints you.