The Probate Court may oversee the division of property of someone who has died. This property is called a decedent's estate.The process of claiming a bank account after death varies based on a number of factors. Here's how to claim a deceased person's bank accounts. You'll just need the death certificate and your ID. The bank should close the account and make checks payable to the beneficiary. Forms can be obtained at the Sacramento County Public ​Law Library​​​ at 609 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. If you are a beneficiary on a bank account and need a death certificate to claim the funds but the relatives won't provide one, you have a few options. An estate accounting should account for every asset in a decedent's estate, no matter how seemingly insignificant the asset is. To start the process of obtaining a letter of administration, you must fill out Form DE150. From what we understand, these relatives only need a death certificate and ID to turn over all of the CDs, etc.