How to Write a Letter to Close the Bank Account of a Deceased Loved One

You have recently lost a loved one and know that they have a bank account that needs to be settled or closed. It can be challenging to write a letter closing the bank account of a deceased loved one, and it can be difficult if they leave no will. DoNotPay can help you close any bank account, whether it be Chase, TD Bank, US Bank, or PNC.

DoNotPay can make it easy to write a letter closing your account, help you close your account if you're relocating, advocate for you when the bank wants to close your account, and even stop a closed bank account from hurting your credit.

This guide will explain the difficulties of closing a deceased loved one's bank account, explain how complicated it is to try to handle on your own, and tell you how DoNotPay can help you close the account quickly and easily.

Reasons to Close a Bank Account

If a loved one is deceased, naturally, you will want to close their bank account, but there are other reasons.

• You may have found a better interest rate at another bank.
• You may be relocating, and there are no branches of the bank you use in your new city.
• Your business may be closing, and you need to close the business account.

How Do I Close a Bank Account For a Deceased Loved One?

There are several situations you may find yourself in, for example:

1. If your loved one was elderly, you might have set up a joint account which you can close at any time.
2. If you are the beneficiary in the will, you must request a certified copy of the death certificate from the state's office of vital records and present it to the bank with identification. The bank should then release the money to you and allow you to close the account.
3. If you were named in the power of attorney for the account during the deceased person's life, you could use the account to pay their bills. However, after the person passes away, you are no longer entitled to access the person's checking account, and you cannot close it.

There are problems with all these scenarios.

If you have a deceased loved one, you have enough to worry about without having to think about whether you have a certified death certificate or a joint account. If you don't have a power of attorney, it's even more difficult.

Use this time to heal and let DoNotPay close the bank account for you. This way, we can help you as you take care of more important matters.

How Do I Create a Formal Request Letter to Close My Bank Account?

1. Write the letter to the bank manager with the address and branch name of the bank. Start the letter with a salutation (Sir/Madam) and mention the reason for closing the bank account.

2. Request to transfer the balance to the bank account. Mention your name, account number, signature at the end of the letter.

Writing this can be stressful and time-consuming, DoNotPay on the other hand will automatically draft a perfect letter to your bank.

How Long Does It Take To Close a Bank Account?

It can take from days to months, depending on the situation. Let DoNotPay expedite the manner and close the account promptly.

What Do I Do if I’m Getting Pushback From My Bank?

Generally, if you try getting the matter solved on the phone, nothing will happen. Allow DoNotPay to draft a formal letter that is more likely to get results.

Can a Bank Refuse to Close My Account?

The only way a bank can force you to keep your account open is if you owe money to the bank; otherwise, it is in your right to close it at any time.

Can I Close a Joint Bank Account if My Co-owner Passes Away?

You can only close the account if you upload a death certificate or give other formal evidence for account closure. However, you do not have to go through the complicated process of closing the joint bank if you close the account with DoNotPay's help.

How to Quickly/Easily Close a Bank Account with DoNotPay

If you want to Quickly/Easily Close a Bank Account but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered. Create your own cancellation letter in 6 easy steps:

1. Go to the Close Bank Accounts product on DoNotPay.

2. Select which bank the account was opened under, and enter the account type, account number, and your local branch location.

3. Indicate who this account belongs to. If the owner or co-owner has passed away, upload a death certificate or other formal evidence. If you are not the original account owner, upload evidence of your relationship with the owner.

4. Tell us why you need to close this account.

5. Enter your contact information, including email, phone number, and the address you want any remaining funds to be sent to.

6. Submit your task! DoNotPay will mail the request letter on your behalf. You should hear back from the bank with confirmation or a request for more information within a few weeks.

Why Use DoNotPay to Write a Letter to Close the Bank Account of the Deceased?

You have enough to worry about when a loved one dies. Let DoNotPay handle closing their bank account.

DoNotpay Works Across All Companies/Entities/Groups With the Click of a Button.

DoNotPay can help you resolve issues with a variety of problems.

1. DoNotPay can help recover Spotify account passwords the same way with Amazon, eBay, or Steam.
2. Or it can help you get your birth certificate in Kentucky the same way it could for California.
3. DoNotPay can help you close the accounts at any bank.

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Why spend all your time trying to close the bank account of a deceased loved one? Use DoNotPay today!