To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. Cut up the credit cards and return them to the issuing creditor.Forms available via phone purchase with a credit card. Sample Letter – Asking for a debt write-off when someone is deceased. Probate is a county court process that occurs within three years after the date of death. The estate is responsible for the debt. When one party dies, the survivor owns all remaining assets in the account. I withheld a large amount of money in the account until the lawyer said we could close things out, just in case something came in. Be warned: when my mom died, we got two letters that said she owed money on credit cards. The bank may require a certified death certificate in order to close the account and distribute the funds.