To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage 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.Sample Letter – Asking for a debt write-off when someone is deceased. An Affidavit of Death is used to close accounts, receive benefits, or take ownership of property, real estate, or securities. Please include an account number or social security number of the deceased. A close relative must be alive at the time the decedent dies to be an heir. Real estate, unlike joint bank accounts, may not automatically pass to a surviving co-owner. For example, when state law requires the estate to pay survivors first, there may not be any money left over to pay debts.