In this section, you can find information and answers to the following questions: 1. When can I close the estate and distribute the assets?After filling it out, sign it in front of a notary. The form will ask you for an inventory and appraisal and a description of the real property. Present either of these letters to the bank along with the death certificate to close the account. You can use this letter template to write to the bank to request the closure of a direct payments account following the death of the account holder. Notify Bank of America. We'll ask you for the deceased customer's full legal name and Social Security number to identify their accounts. The bank will not allow you to close it unless you have a letter of authorization from the probate court. You must also be given the authority to handle the account to close it.