To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. Use our Affidavit of Death form to verify the death of a family member and help with the inheritance process.Complete and return this form with your application for benefits. When you choose direct deposit, your first payment may be mailed to your home. In this video I'm going to talk about how to fill out a transfer on death instrument or a todi. A small estate affidavit is a sworn legal document a person can use to assert a claim to assets from the estate of someone who has died. You'll need the person's Social Security number and certified copies of their death certificate for most agencies and programs. Social Security and Medicare. The date of the decedent's death was. And I have attached a copy of the death certificate hereto. 4.