How To Close Bank Accounts?

When it comes to sorting out the assets for a deceased estate, the most important financial institution that should be prioritised first should be banks. Why?

Gaining appropriate access to the bank account allows for sufficient payment of remaining bills and expenses, as well as its distribution to beneficiaries. The only people who have the legal right to manage the accounts are either the Executor of the Will, Administrator of OR a named solicitor.

Following these generalised steps will assist you in accessing and closing the respective bank accounts:

1. Complete a  ‘Deceased Customer Notification’ form that can be found on the bank’s own website (if required in that respective bank)
2. Go to closest Branch with forms and hand in the original copies of requested documents (listed below)
3. After receiving letter from bank, mail in the rest of the required documents in the letter
4. Accounts of deceased will be frozen until estates are finalised (the funds may be withdrawn before the settlement of estates, in the case of financial difficulties)
5. Once estates are finalised, funds in the bank account will be distributed
6. A request can be made for the remaining funds to pay off the loans or final bills

Joint accounts will continue as per normal (or you can also apply for transferral of name)

Required Documents:

• Death Certificate/ Medical Certificate
• Will and/or Probate OR Letters of Administration
• Funeral expense receipts
• Personal ID if not a Commonwealth Bank customer: 3 x Level 1 or 2 Proof of Identification
• 1 x Level 3 Proof of Identification
• ‘Claim of Assets Held on Behalf of Deceased Customer’ Form completed
• Authority to release assets from deceased estate
• Consent by Beneficiary/Executor/Next of kin
• Credit and/or debit and/or travel cards of the deceased
• Passbooks in the name of the deceased
• Personal cheque books in the name of the deceased

Required Documents:

• Only one of the following
  • Death Certificate
  • Medical Certificate
  • Funeral Account
  • Probate or Letters of Administration
  • Disposal of Body Certificate
  • Coroner’s Report
• Personal ID (if not a St George customer)
  • 1 x Level 1 or 2 Proof of Identification

Required Documents:

• Westpac’s Customer Identification Document (CID)
• Only one of the following
  • Death Certificate
  • Medical Certificate
  • Funeral Account
  • Probate or Letters of Administration
  • Disposal of Body Certificate
  • Coroner’s Report
  • Will with Probate
  • Personal ID if not a Westpac customer
    • 1 x Level 1 or 2 Proof of Identification
    • 1 x Level 1 or 2 or 3 Proof of Identification, which must have
      • Full name
      • Residential address
      • Date of Birth
      • Photograph
      • Signature

Required Documents:

• ANZ Customer Identification Process (CIP) Form
• Death Certificate
• Certified copy of the Will
• Written Authority to Close Account Form signed by the 
  Executor/Administrator/Next of kin (for the bank to release funds)
• Indemnity Form if Probation or Letters of Administration have NOT been granted
• Probate or Letters of Admission
• Medical Certificate
• Funeral Account
• Probate or Letters of Administration
• Disposal of Body Certificate
• Coroner’s Report
• Will
• Grant of Probate
• Personal ID if NOT a ANZ Customer
  • 1 x Level 1 or 2 Proof of Identification

Required Documents:

• ‘Finalising a Deceased Estate With/Without A Will Form’
• Deceased Customer Notification Form
• Deceased Estate With/Without a Will Form
• Medical Certificate/Coroner’s Report Listing Cause Of Death
• Death Certificate
• Certified copy of the Will
• Death Notice From Newspaper (if available)
• Funeral Invoice/Account
• Customer Notification Form
• Proof of Relationship
• Personal ID (100 point ID check) if NOT existing NAB customer
  • Current Contact Information
  • 2 x Level 1 Proof of Identification
  • 1 x Level 2 Proof of Identification 

Required Documents:

• Only one of the following
  • Death Certificate
  • Medical Certificate
  • Funeral Account
  • Probate or Letters of Administration
  • Disposal of Body Certificate
  • Coroner’s Report

Required Documents:

• Deceased Customer Notification Form
• Claim to Assets Form
• Certified Copy of Identity Certification if NOT BankWest customers
  • 1 x Level 1 or 2 Proof of Identification (Photographic Identification)
  • OR 2 x Level 1 or 2 Proof of Identification (Non-Photographic) 

Required Documents:

• Probate
• Death Certificate
• Indemnity Form if over $50,000
• Letter of Direction signed by Executor/Administrator

Required Documents:

• Probate
• Death Certificate
• Letter of Authority signed by Executor/Administrator
• Proof of Relationship
• Certified Copy of Identity Certification
  • 1 x Level 1 or 2 Proof of Identification (Photographic Identification)

Required Documents:

• Death certificate
• Personal Name
• Personal Contact Details

Required Documents:

• Death certificate
• Probate
• Will
  
• Letter of Direction signed by Executor/Administrator
• Certified Copy of Identity Certification
• 1 x Level 1 or 2 Proof of Identification
• (Photographic Identification)