The bank will not close the account on its own — you have to tell them

When someone dies, their bank account does not automatically close. The bank will freeze it once they learn of the death, but you or another family member must contact the bank directly and provide a death certificate to start the closure process. The bank needs proof because accounts sometimes list multiple owners, and they need to know whether the account belongs entirely to the estate or whether a surviving co-owner has rights to the funds.

The person who closes the account is usually the executor named in the will, or if there is no will, whoever the court appoints to handle the estate. If you are not sure whether you have the authority to act, check the will first or contact a probate court in the county where the person died — they can tell you who has legal standing to manage the estate.

The timeline varies. Some banks close accounts within days of receiving the death certificate. Others take two to four weeks, especially if the account holds a large balance or has complications like pending checks or automatic payments. During this time, the account remains frozen and no one can withdraw money, though the bank may still process bills that were set to pay automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the bank by phone or in person with the account number and the deceased person's full name, then ask what documents they need to close the account.
  • You will need an original or certified copy of the death certificate — a photocopy usually does not work, and the bank may ask for multiple copies.
  • If you are the executor or court-appointed administrator, bring proof of your authority, such as letters testamentary or a court order.
  • The bank will tell you how to handle any remaining balance: it may go to a surviving co-owner, to the estate, or to the state if no one claims it.
  • If the account has automatic payments set up, ask the bank which ones will stop and which ones you need to cancel yourself before closure.

What documents the bank will ask for

Every bank has slightly different requirements, but most will ask for the same core documents. Call the bank's main customer service line and ask to speak with someone in the estate or deceased account department — they handle these requests regularly and can tell you exactly what to bring.

You will need an original or certified copy of the death certificate. A photocopy is almost never accepted. You can order certified copies from the vital records office in the county or state where the person died — this is usually a separate office from the courthouse, though some counties combine them. Order multiple copies (usually three to five) because banks often keep one and you may need copies for other institutions like insurance companies or investment accounts.

If you are the executor or administrator of the estate, bring letters testamentary or a court order showing your authority. Letters testamentary are a document the probate court issues to confirm you are the executor. If there is no will or the court appointed you as administrator, you will have a different court document with a similar purpose. The bank needs this to know you have the legal right to close the account and handle the money.

Bring a photo ID for yourself and, if possible, the account number. If you do not have the account number, the bank can look it up using the deceased person's name and Social Security number.

How to contact the bank and what to say

Call the main customer service number on the back of a bank statement or on the bank's website. Tell them you need to close a deceased person's account and ask to be transferred to the estate department or the person who handles deceased accounts. Some banks have a dedicated line for this — asking directly saves time.

Have the account number ready, along with the deceased person's full name and date of birth. The bank will ask you to confirm your relationship to the account holder and your role in the estate. Be straightforward: "I am the executor named in their will" or "I am their spouse and a co-owner on the account" or "The court appointed me as administrator of their estate."

Ask the bank three specific things: what documents they need, whether they can accept documents by mail or whether you must visit in person, and how long the process typically takes. Also ask whether the account has any automatic payments or transfers set up — you need to know this before closure so you can decide whether to cancel them yourself or let the bank handle it.

What happens to the money in the account

The bank will not release funds until the account is fully closed and all documents are verified. Where the money goes depends on who owned the account.

If the deceased person was the sole owner, the money becomes part of their estate. The executor or administrator will receive it and use it to pay debts, taxes, and expenses, then distribute what remains to the heirs according to the will or state law. This process can take months because the executor has to wait for creditors to make claims and for the court to approve the distribution.

If there was a surviving co-owner on the account — usually a spouse or adult child — that person typically has the right to the entire balance. The bank will ask for the co-owner's signature and may transfer the funds directly to them rather than to the estate. This is faster than going through probate, but it only works if both names were on the account during the person's lifetime. Adding someone's name after death does not give them rights to the money.

If no one claims the account and there is no will or surviving co-owner, the money may go to the state under unclaimed property laws. Each state holds unclaimed money for a set period (usually five to ten years) and you can search for it on your state's unclaimed property website if you believe this has happened.

Handling automatic payments and transfers before closure

If the account has automatic bill payments or transfers set up, you need to address them before the bank closes the account. The bank will freeze the account once they know of the death, so most automatic payments will stop, but some may still process if they were scheduled before the freeze took effect.

Ask the bank which automatic payments are still pending and which ones have already been stopped. For any that are still active, you have two choices: cancel them yourself by contacting the company being paid (the utility, insurance company, loan servicer, etc.), or ask the bank to cancel them as part of the closure process.

Canceling them yourself gives you more control and a record of what you cancelled. Call or log into the account with the company being paid and tell them the account holder has died and the bank account is being closed. They will stop the automatic payment on their end. Keep a record of these cancellations in case questions come up later.

If the account is held at a credit union instead of a bank

Credit unions follow similar processes but sometimes have different requirements or timelines. Call the credit union's main number and ask for the member services or deceased member department. The steps are the same — you will need a death certificate and proof of your authority — but credit unions may process closures faster because they are smaller and handle fewer accounts.

Some credit unions are part of a shared branching network, which means you can visit a different credit union branch to handle the closure if the original branch is far away. Ask whether this is an option when you call.

What to do if the account is overdrawn or has a negative balance

If the account has a negative balance — meaning the person owed the bank money — the bank will not close the account until the debt is resolved. The bank may try to collect from the estate, or they may write off the debt if the estate has no funds.

As the executor or administrator, you are not personally responsible for the debt unless you co-signed something or the account was in your name too. The debt comes out of the estate's assets before anything goes to heirs. If the estate has no money, the bank usually absorbs the loss rather than pursuing family members.

Tell the bank you are aware of the negative balance and ask what they need from you to close the account. Some banks will close it once you confirm the estate cannot pay; others may require a written statement from you or the court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to close a deceased person's bank account?

No. The bank can walk you through the process over the phone. You only need a lawyer if the estate is complicated — for example, if there are multiple wills, disputes over who is the executor, or the account holds a very large sum and you are unsure how to distribute it fairly.

Can I close the account if I am not the executor?

Only if you are a surviving co-owner or if the court appointed you as administrator. If you are a family member but not listed on the account or named in the will, the bank will not let you close it. You can ask the executor or administrator to do it, or you can contact the probate court to ask about your options.

What if I cannot find the death certificate?

Order a certified copy from the vital records office in the county or state where the person died. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs between ten and thirty dollars. You can order online, by mail, or in person. The bank will not accept a photocopy or a funeral home's copy — it must be an official certified copy with the state seal.

How long does it take to close the account after I submit the documents?

Most banks close accounts within two to four weeks of receiving all required documents. Some close faster if the account is straightforward and has no complications. Call the bank after two weeks if you have not heard back and ask for a status update.

What if the bank says they never received my documents?

If you mailed them, send them again via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. If you submitted them in person, ask for a receipt or confirmation number. Keep copies of everything you send. If the bank continues to say they did not receive documents you know you sent, ask to speak with a supervisor or file a complaint with your state's banking regulator.