Bank Accounts

In most cases, bank accounts which are only the deceased's name usually are frozen after a death.  To avoid any complications, the bank should be notified immediately, and you should find out the procedures for releasing these funds, and how to set up a new account, generally an "estate account" for funds received after the death.  It’s recommended that a joint account stay open for at least six months to allow you to deposit any cheques that are made out to the deceased.  To take a name off a joint bank account, banks require a a Death Certificate (Proof of Death Certificate).  If the deceased had a safety deposit box in a bank, the contents can be sealed after death and a Death Certificate (Proof of Death Certificate) will be required to gain access to the contents.