Bank Accounts After Death: What Happens and What to Do

Overview

When someone dies, their bank accounts are typically frozen as soon as the bank is notified. This can come as a shock to family members who may need funds for immediate expenses. This guide explains what happens to bank accounts after death, what you can access immediately, and how to release funds through the probate process.

Key Facts

• ✓Banks freeze accounts as soon as they are notified of a death.
• ✓Joint accounts usually pass automatically to the surviving account holder.
• ✓Most banks will release funds for funeral costs before probate is granted.
• ✓Banks may release small amounts without probate for estates under a certain threshold.
• ✓You will need a death certificate to notify the bank.
• ✓The Tell Us Once service can notify multiple government departments at once.
• ✓Probate is usually required before banks release funds from sole accounts.
• ✓Keeping a list of all accounts in your vault saves your family weeks of searching.

Step by Step

1. 1

   Notify the bank as soon as possible

   Contact the bank or building society to notify them of the death. You will need to provide a death certificate. The bank will freeze the account to protect the estate. Most banks have a bereavement team and will guide you through their process.

2. 2

   Request funds for immediate expenses

   Most banks will release funds to pay for funeral costs before probate is granted. You will need to provide a funeral director's invoice. Some banks will also release a small amount for immediate living expenses. Ask the bank what they can do before probate.

3. 3

   Check if probate is required

   For small estates, some banks will release funds without a grant of probate. The threshold varies by bank, but is often around 5,000 to 50,000 pounds. For larger estates, you will need to apply for probate before the bank will release funds.

4. 4

   Apply for probate if required

   If probate is required, apply through the HMCTS probate service. Once you have the grant of probate, the bank will release the funds to the executor. This process typically takes 3 to 6 months from the date of death.

5. 5

   Close the account and transfer funds

   Once probate is granted, the executor can close the account and transfer the funds to the estate account. The executor is then responsible for distributing the funds to beneficiaries according to the will or the Rules of Intestacy.

6. 6

   Check for dormant accounts

   If you believe the deceased had accounts you cannot find, contact the bank directly or use the free Unclaimed Assets Register or My Lost Account service. Banks are required to transfer dormant accounts to the government after a period of inactivity, but the money can still be reclaimed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I access my spouse's bank account after they die?

If the account is a joint account, you can usually continue to use it as the surviving account holder. If the account is in your spouse's sole name, it will be frozen and you will need to go through the probate process to access the funds, unless the bank agrees to release funds for immediate needs.

How do I pay for the funeral if the accounts are frozen?

Most banks will release funds to pay for funeral costs before probate is granted. You will need to provide a funeral director's invoice. If the bank will not release funds, you may need to pay for the funeral from your own funds and reclaim the cost from the estate later.

What is the Tell Us Once service?

Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report a death to multiple government departments at once, including HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the DVLA. It saves you from having to contact each department separately. Not all councils offer this service, so check with your local council.

What happens to a bank account if there is no will?

If there is no will, the estate is distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy. The next of kin can apply for letters of administration, which gives them the same authority as a grant of probate to access the bank accounts.

What if I cannot find all the bank accounts?

Use the My Lost Account service (mylostaccount.org.uk) to search for lost bank accounts, savings accounts, and NS&I accounts. You can also contact banks directly if you have reason to believe the deceased had an account with them.

How long does it take to access bank accounts after death?

For joint accounts, access is usually immediate. For sole accounts, it depends on whether probate is required. If the estate is small and the bank agrees to release funds without probate, it may take a few weeks. If probate is required, it typically takes 3 to 6 months.

Official Resources

These links go directly to official government and trusted organisation websites.

• Tell Us Once service

  Report a death to multiple government organisations at once

  GOV.UK
• Apply for probate

  Apply for probate online through the official HMCTS service

  GOV.UK
• My Lost Account

  Search for lost bank accounts, savings accounts, and NS&I accounts

  My Lost Account
• Citizens Advice bereavement guide

  Guidance on dealing with money and property after a death

  Citizens Advice