To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. Notify Bank of America.We'll ask you for the deceased customer's full legal name and Social Security number to identify their accounts. Online: Use our online form to notify us about a customer's death. An Affidavit of this nature allows a bank or credit union in Florida to pay a qualified family member the funds in the decedent's bank accounts. Most banks will have their own individual procedure for closing a bank account after the title holder of the account passes away. Florida law requires that this be done within 10 days of death (basically, to make sure someone does not hide an original document from the heirs - it happens!) Joint deposit accounts may be retitled to remove the deceased customer. Sample Letter – Asking for a debt write-off when someone is deceased. We'll need a photocopy of the death certificate to verify the identity and legal residence of your loved one as well as confirm date of death.