To be recognized as the estate administrator, you must file the petition for grant of letters of administration with the Register of Wills. Dying without a will is known as dying intestate.Many people do not realize that Pennsylvania has an Intestate Succession law (20 PS § 2101 et seq.) To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. In general, you can't. The bank will not allow you to close it unless you have a letter of authorization from the probate court. These forms helpful when handling the estate of a deceased person. If you have questions, consult with an attorney. For an intestate estate, a person must formally file a petition for the grant of Letters of Administration. If a loved one passed away without a will or has an invalid will, their estate may pass through the terms of PA's intestacy statute.