Can I withdraw money from a deceased person's bank account?

If you are a joint account holder, you can access the funds. For individual accounts, only the court-appointed executor or administrator can authorize withdrawals. Unauthorized withdrawals can create legal liability.

What happens to a joint bank account when one person dies?

For joint accounts with right of survivorship, the surviving account holder automatically owns the funds. Bring a certified death certificate to the bank to remove the deceased person's name from the account.

How to Close a Bank Account After Someone Dies

Closing or transferring a deceased person's bank account can feel daunting, but the process is straightforward once you have the right documents.

What You Will Need

Before contacting the bank, gather these documents:

Certified death certificate (the bank will likely keep the copy)
Your government-issued ID
Letters testamentary or letters of administration from the probate court (if you are the executor or administrator)
Small estate affidavit (if the estate qualifies and your state allows it)
The deceased's account information (account numbers, last statements)

Step-by-Step Process

1. Determine account ownership type

How the account is titled matters:

Joint account with right of survivorship: The surviving account holder automatically owns the funds. Bring the death certificate to the bank to remove the deceased's name.
Payable on death (POD) / Transfer on death (TOD): The named beneficiary can claim the funds with a death certificate and ID.
Individual account: Requires the executor or administrator to act on behalf of the estate through probate.

2. Contact the bank

Call or visit the bank's branch. Ask to speak with someone in their estate or deceased accounts department. Most major banks have a dedicated team for this.

3. Provide documentation

The bank will ask for copies of the death certificate and proof of your authority to act (letters testamentary, small estate affidavit, or beneficiary designation).

4. Handle remaining funds

The bank will close the account and either:

Issue a check to the estate
Transfer funds to an estate bank account
Release funds to the named beneficiary

5. Check for automatic payments

Before closing the account, review recent statements for any recurring automatic payments (utilities, subscriptions, insurance) that may need to be redirected or cancelled.

Important Notes

Do not withdraw funds from a sole-owner account before going through the proper process. Unauthorized withdrawals can create legal problems.
Safe deposit boxes at the bank may require a separate legal process to access.
Direct deposits (like Social Security) should be stopped to avoid overpayments that must be returned.

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