Managing Bank Accounts After a Death
A Practical Guide to Understanding How to Manage a Bank Account After a Death, Who Has Access, and What You May Need to do.
When someone dies, their bank accounts need to be dealt with as part of managing their estate. The bank will need to be notified, and access to accounts held in the person's sole name will usually be restricted while it confirms the necessary details and establishes who is authorised to manage the money. What happens next depends on whether the account was held individually or jointly, the amount of money involved and the bank's own procedures.
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Understanding these steps can help executors and family members know what to expect. For information about the broader complexities of who needs to told when someone has died, please see our main guide linked below.
How Do You Notify a Bank That Someone Has Died?
You can usually notify the bank or building society directly, either online, by telephone or in a branch. Some banks also participate in the free Death Notification Service, which allows you to notify several participating financial institutions through one service.
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You will normally need to provide some or all of the following information:
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The person's full name and date of birth.
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Their date of death.
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Their address and relevant account details, if known.
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A copy of the death certificate, if requested.
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Your own contact details and information about your relationship to the person.
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Details of the executor or administrator, if this has already been established.
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You do not necessarily need to know every account number before making a notification. The bank can explain what information it needs to identify the accounts and what to do if you are unsure which products the person held.
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Once notified, ask the bank what happens next, whether any payments will be stopped, and what documents it will require to release the money. Keep a note of the date you contacted it and any reference number you receive.
Can You Access Money in a Bank Account After a Death?
Access depends on the type of account, the bank's procedures and whether the person requesting the funds has the necessary authority. If the account was held in the person's sole name, the bank will generally require the appropriate documentation before releasing the balance. In some circumstances, it may release funds without a grant of probate or letters of administration. In others, it will require formal proof of authority.
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Some banks may also have procedures for paying certain expenses directly from the account, such as an outstanding funeral invoice. This is not automatic, so contact the bank to ask whether this is possible and what evidence it needs. Being a relative or beneficiary does not, by itself, give you the right to withdraw money from an account held solely by the person who died. If you are not the executor or administrator, you may need to work with the person who is authorised to manage the estate. ​For more information about the responsibilities involved, see our guide to understanding what an executor actually does.
What Happens to a Joint Bank Account After a Death?
Joint bank accounts are generally treated differently from accounts held in one person's name. In England and Wales, a joint account will usually continue in the surviving account holder's name or names. The bank will need to be informed of the death and may update the account records, but the surviving holder can often continue using the account.
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However, it is important not to assume that every situation is identical. The account terms, the circumstances of ownership and any questions about who contributed the money can affect how the funds are treated, particularly when considering the estate and possible Inheritance Tax implications.
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If the account has an overdraft or other borrowing attached to it, the surviving account holder should also check what responsibility they have for that borrowing. Contact your bank to confirm what will happen to the account and whether any changes are needed to payments, account access or the way the account is held.
Do You Need Probate to Close a Bank Account?
Not always. Whether probate is required depends on the circumstances of the estate and the bank's own requirements. Banks and building societies have different procedures for releasing money after a death. Some may release smaller balances without requiring a grant of probate, while others may require formal authority depending on the value of the account and the wider circumstances.
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If the person left a will, the named executor may need to apply for a grant of probate. If there is no will, an eligible person may need to apply for letters of administration. These documents can establish who has the legal authority to deal with the estate.
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It is worth contacting each bank early to find out what it requires. This can help you understand whether an application is necessary and avoid delays when gathering information about the estate. For a fuller explanation, we have a guide for understanding probate linked below. Alternatively, if there is no will, our guide to what to do when someone dies without a will can help to explain your general position.
What Happens to Standing Orders and Direct Debits?
When an individual bank account is restricted after a death, regular payments from that account may stop. This can affect household bills, subscriptions, insurance premiums, loan repayments and other ongoing commitments. Do not assume that every payment should be cancelled immediately. Some services, such as utilities or home insurance, may need to remain active while the property and estate are being dealt with.
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It is sensible to review bank statements and identify regular payments, then contact the relevant organisations to explain the situation and establish what needs to happen next. If a bill was held jointly with someone else, that person may need to arrange a new payment method or update the account details. You can read more in our guide to cancelling bills after a death.
What Happens to Money in the Account?
Money held in a sole bank account at the date of death will generally form part of the estate. The executor or administrator is responsible for establishing the estate's assets, paying any outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the people entitled to inherit. The bank may need formal authority before it releases the funds. Once released, the money should be handled as part of the estate rather than treated as the personal money of the executor or a family member.
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Where there are several assets, debts or beneficiaries, keeping estate money separate from personal finances can make the process easier to manage and help maintain clear records. An executor may choose to open a separate estate account for this purpose. The value of the bank accounts may also need to be included when assessing the overall value of the estate and whether Inheritance Tax reporting or payment is required.
What If You Do Not Know Which Bank Accounts the Person Had?
It is not unusual for family members to be unsure which accounts, savings products or other financial assets a person held. Start by looking through available paperwork, recent bank statements, letters and emails. You may also find clues in records of regular payments, pension deposits or transfers between accounts.
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If you know which bank the person used but cannot find the account details, contact the bank and explain the situation. It can tell you what information it needs to search for accounts and verify your authority. If you do not know which banks or building societies were involved, gathering information may take longer. An executor or administrator may need to review the person's financial records and make enquiries with relevant institutions.
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It is generally recommended to avoid using the person's online banking or debit card as a way of searching for funds after their death. Instead, follow the bank's process for identifying accounts and releasing information to the authorised person.
What Happens to Refunds and Payments Made After a Death?
When an account is closed or updated, the provider may identify a credit balance, refund or payment that was made after the person's death. For example, an energy account may have been paid by direct debit beyond the final billing date, or a subscription payment may have been taken after the service should have ended. In other cases, a final bill may still be due.
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Ask the provider how any refund will be handled and whether it needs details of the estate or the person authorised to manage it. Money owed to the person who died will generally need to be dealt with as part of their estate. Keep copies of final bills, refund confirmations and any correspondence relating to outstanding payments. These records can help the executor or administrator account for the estate's finances.
How Clive Pugh Funeral Directors Can Help
Dealing with bank accounts is usually part of administering an estate rather than arranging the funeral. Clive Pugh Funeral Directors can explain the practical steps involved in arranging a funeral and help you understand which questions to raise with the relevant organisations.
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Depending on the circumstances, we can:
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Discuss the available funeral options and any known wishes.
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Provide an estimate and explain the costs involved.
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Arrange the funeral service, venue, coffin, transport and other practical details.
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Liaise with the chosen cemetery, churchyard, crematorium, minister or celebrant.
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Explain the information and documentation needed for the funeral.
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Keep you informed as the arrangements progress.
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You do not need to have every bill cancelled or every financial matter resolved before speaking to us. Our role is to organise the funeral and explain the practical decisions involved, allowing you to work through the other responsibilities separately. If you are unsure what needs to be dealt with following a death, we can help clarify the funeral arrangements and direct you towards appropriate sources of further information. For questions about bank accounts, probate or estate administration, you should contact the relevant bank or seek advice from a solicitor or probate specialist.
With You Every Step of the Way
Date and Time
Following registration, a date and time can then be arranged.
Cremation or Burial
In many cases a loved one will have left their own specific preference. Once the decision for a cremation or burial has been made, a venue for the service and order of events can be agreed upon.
Chapel of Rest
Our private chapel is available for you to spend time with your loved one, also allowing your relatives and friends the chance to say "goodbye".
The Funeral Service
We will liaise with the Clergy, Humanist Minister or Celebrant of your choice. Alternatively, if no specific Minister is requested we can suggest a Minister who will guide you through the order of service. The readings, hymns and eulogies will all be discussed.
Coffins, Caskets and Urns
We offer a large range of traditional coffins, caskets and urns. You can choose from many different styles and we offer a range of price points. Should you want to offer a unique tribute to your loved one, ask us about our customisation options. If you are looking for something in particular, please let us know. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
Vehicles
We take pride in being able to offer a comprehensive selection of vehicles. A horse drawn hearse is also available upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a bank refuse to release money after someone dies?
A bank may restrict access until it has verified the death and confirmed who is legally authorised to deal with the account. It will explain what documents are required and whether a grant of probate or letters of administration is necessary.
Can I use the person's bank card to pay for their funeral?
You should not use the person's card or online banking after their death. Contact the bank to ask whether it can pay an outstanding funeral invoice directly from the account and what documentation it requires.
Does a surviving spouse automatically get the money in a sole bank account?
Not simply because they were married. Money held in a sole account will generally form part of the estate and must be dealt with according to the will or the rules that apply when there is no will. A joint account is usually treated differently.eath and ask how to close the account. The provider may request certain information or documentation, and any outstanding balance or refund may need to be dealt with as part of the estate.
How long does it take to release money from a bank account after a death?
There is no single timescale. It depends on the bank's procedures, the value and type of account, the documents required and whether probate or letters of administration are needed. Contact the bank to understand what is outstanding and what you need to provide.