Fill Out the Form: Write down all the necessary details about the deceased and the assets. In order to open a checking account, you generally need to present to the bank a copy of the death certificate as well as your legal appointment paperwork.Fill in the street address, city, state, zip code, and county of the legal residence at the time of the person's death. To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. You can open an estate account after getting necessary documents, like the decedent's death certificate and a taxpayer identification number for the estate. 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. Dormant bank accounts; Uncashed checks; Unclaimed wages; Insurance claim payments or benefits; Stocks or bonds; Safe deposit boxes. Prepare all the required legal documents, such as the death certificate, a list of assets, and information about debts and beneficiaries. 2. You'll need the decedent's last name, date of birth, date of death and your bank routing and account numbers.