It often makes sense to open the estate account in the same bank as the decedent's lifetime accounts. You'll also need the decedent's legal name and Social Security number.The best way to avoid any issues with accessing the bank accounts of deceased family members is to have a clear and up-to-date estate plan in place. Make the process of opening an estate account simple and straightforward with this stepbystep guide. 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. Go to the IRS website to find the EIN Assistant and enter the deceased person's legal information. We'll ask you for the deceased customer's full legal name and Social Security number to identify their accounts. To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. Do you know how to find out if you are a beneficiary on a bank account? Updating the database of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is an ongoing process.