Informal probate is the process for asking the court to appoint a personal representative for a decedent's estate without a hearing. To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account.In this detailed guide of Utah inheritance laws, we break down intestate succession, probate, taxes, what makes a will valid and more. Dying Without a Will. If the deceased person left an invalid will or no will at all, the Probate Registry will issue a grant of letters of administration. Be courteous and help the person out. Do not fill out a change of address. If you are indeed designated as a beneficiary on the account, the bank will release the contents of the account to you. They will help you tell the required people and organisations immediately after the death and assist you in the longer term probate process. The funeral home will share this information with us and pick up the body from our office.