To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. To be recognized as the estate administrator, you must file the petition for grant of letters of administration with the Register of Wills.In most cases, only the personal representative of a deceased person's estate can access the deceased accounts at a financial institution. The bank will not allow you to close it unless you have a letter of authorization from the probate court. When you go to the bank to close the account you will need a death certificate and a short certificate. To close a bank account after death, you must completely liquidate its funds. The quick and inexpensive option is for the Personal Representative to prepare a Family Settlement Agreement for the heirs of the estate to approve and sign. The executor is always the executor. Title to most assets, such as real estate and bank investment accounts, cannot be changed without going through probate. The beneficiary simply has to present a valid death certificate and proof of identity to claim their inheritance.