Notify Banks & Manage Accounts

Joint accounts with rights of survivorship pass automatically to the surviving owner—the funds remain accessible immediately. The bank will remove the deceased's name from the account once you provide a certified death certificate. Joint accounts do not go through probate. However, sole accounts in the deceased's name will be frozen until the executor presents Letters Testamentary.

If you are a joint account holder, yes—use those funds freely. If the account is solely in the deceased's name, most banks will release funds specifically for funeral and burial expenses before probate is complete, but you will need to provide a certified death certificate, the funeral home invoice, and your ID. Some states also have small estate provisions allowing access for final expenses.

You will typically need: a certified death certificate, your government-issued photo ID, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for sole accounts), and the deceased's account numbers if available. Bring originals—most banks will not accept photocopies. If you are the surviving joint owner, you only need the death certificate and your ID.

Do not close accounts right away. Automatic payments (utilities, insurance, subscriptions) may still be drafting from these accounts, and incoming deposits (pension, Social Security) may still arrive. First, redirect automatic payments and update direct deposits. Then, once you have accounted for all pending transactions, transfer the balance and close the account. This typically takes 1-3 months.