You'll receive an email within 24 hours explaining what documents are needed to complete your claim. Typically, we require: A copy of the death certificate.My dad passed away two months ago. Got the death certificate in hand and went to the bank to close his account. Have you named a beneficiary on your bank accounts? A New York estate planning attorney explains the pros and cons of payable on death designations. The new brokerage says they have no record of beneficiaries. Consequently, they say the estate must go through probate before they will release funds. 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.