Opening an Estate Checking Account You should open a checking account in the name of the estate. Some will, some won't, but every bank should accept a filed small estate affidavit.The BMO Alto Letter of Direction describes how an authorized representative would like BMO Alto to settle the decedent's account. Consider your assets: bank accounts, investment accounts, 401(k) or 403(b) plan accounts, house, cars, jewelry, and heirlooms. This is your estate. How do I open an estate account? Just make an appointment at your local financial center and an associate will be happy to assist you. The representative must also obtain a checking account in the name of the estate. Any one joint tenant may withdraw all or a part of the funds in a joint bank account. The creation of a joint tenancy has important legal consequences.