How Do You Close Bank Accounts Of The Deceased Without Probate?
Closing a bank account held by a deceased loved one may be done without administering the decedent’s estate through the probate court — depending upon the amount on deposit at the time of death and the law of the state where the bank is located. This non-court procedure is often referred to as a “small estate affidavit.” Not all states provide for this non-court procedure, but all states will have a summary court procedure for small estates that may require nothing more than filing the affidavit with the court before seeking transfer of the account funds from the bank. (See Resource 1.) Call the bank where the accounts are located and request information on its requirements for releasing the funds to you without probate. Presumably, the bank has dealt with this issue many times before and its legal department would instruct bank personnel on the law in this area. Also, ask if the bank provides a form of small estate affidavit that you can use. Get a multiple copies of the death certif
