In New York State, the Surrogate's Court decides what happens to a person's property when that person dies. To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account.The bank will not allow you to close it unless you have a letter of authorization from the probate court. To close a bank account after death, you must completely liquidate its funds. The term refers to the distribution of the estate's final assets, which typically means that the Executor has run out of things to do. You have to do a probate to get letters testamentary. Not all estates require a probate, however. File Petition to Probate the Estate. Determine if you have a small or regular estate, as the forms and timelines differ for each. Bank accounts that are solely in your name can be held up temporarily upon your death.