The bank will not allow you to close it unless you have a letter of authorization from the probate court. To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account.Enclosed with this letter are the death certificate and my legal authorization as the executor. In this video, we discuss an important aspect of estate planning: how to prevent your bank accounts from being frozen at the time of your death. Payableondeath bank accounts allow a bank to release funds to a named beneficiary on the account holder's death without the beneficiary having to go to court. Get a copy of the death certificate. Payable on death is an arrangement between a bank or credit union and a client that designates beneficiaries to receive all the client's assets. As long as evidence indicates an heir or beneficiary has been missing for at least a fiveyear period, the court likely will grant the petition. 2024 income tax return for estate. Gross income. Deductions.