Gather documents you need. You will need: A certified copy of the death certificate.The completed form DE150 should then be submitted to the probate court in the county in which the deceased resided in at the time of death. To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. Fill it out for the deceased, but don't forge the name. In this video, we're going over two forms, DE 140 which is the Order for Probate, and DE 150 which are the Letters, Testamentary, or Letters of Administration. Most bank accounts can pass directly to beneficiaries, without the need for probate or the court's intervention. The bank will not allow you to close it unless you have a letter of authorization from the probate court. Unless that is done, there is no administration and no executor. Beneficiary: A person who inherits when there is a Will and also inherits through intestate succession.