You will need account numbers and serial numbers of assets. Begin the probate process.Opening an estate bank account can make it easier for you to transfer the frozen assets so you can pay out what you need. Ask the bank how much this estate account will cost, as well as what they need you to submit: a Will, a death certificate, etc. We're here to help when a loved one passes away. Knowing where to begin when handling someone else's financial affairs can be overwhelming. Make the process of opening an estate account simple and straightforward with this stepbystep guide. It's useful to have an estate account in the form of a checking account, but your estate's needs may call for adding a savings or money market account, too. What Do I Need to Do When I'm Opening an Estate Bank Account? Trust. Accounts with arrangements to hold the assets in a trust.