Closing a bank account when someone passes away isn't difficult, as long as you have the right paperwork for the the teller or banker. The Probate Court may oversee the division of property of someone who has died.This property is called a decedent's estate. You can use this letter template to write to the bank to request the closure of a direct payments account following the death of the account holder. The procedure is very simple. Get the death certificate and legal heir certificate. Affidavit-death forms are used to change the title on rea l property after the death of a joint tenant, trustee or trustor. Most banks will have their own individual procedure for closing a bank account after the title holder of the account passes away.