When someone dies, their bank accounts need dealing with quickly — other organisations will ask whether the bank has been notified, and money in the estate needs to be preserved. This guide explains what happens to bank accounts in the UK, whether they were held alone or jointly, how to notify banks, and when you might need probate before any funds can be released.
You do not need to know everything immediately. The most important step in the first few days is simply telling the bank the person has died. Everything else can follow.
The short answer
| Account type | What happens immediately | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sole account | Frozen on notification — no withdrawals or payments | Notify the bank; provide death certificate; await probate (if required) |
| Joint account | Usually continues operating; surviving holder retains access | Notify the bank; provide death certificate to convert to sole account |
For sole accounts, the money forms part of the estate. It cannot be withdrawn until the bank is satisfied that the right person has the legal authority to act — either through a grant of probate, or a simpler claim process for smaller amounts.
For joint accounts, the funds almost always pass automatically to the surviving account holder under the right of survivorship. The account is not frozen. Probate is not normally required for the joint balance.
Direct debits and standing orders from a sole account should be cancelled or suspended by the bank on notification. Notify early – this prevents money draining away that ought to be preserved for the estate. If the deceased held a National Lottery direct debit subscription, see our guide to notifying the National Lottery when someone dies – this covers cancellation and how to claim any winnings held in the account.
What happens to a sole bank account when someone dies
When the bank is informed of the death, a sole account is frozen. This means no money can be withdrawn, and no new payments can be set up. Existing direct debits and standing orders will be cancelled. Any payments that arrive after the death — such as a final salary payment or pension instalment — will be credited but not accessible until the account is released.
This is not a permanent state. It is a holding position while the bank establishes who has the legal authority to deal with the account.
The estate and the personal representative
Everything the person owned — their money, property, possessions, and investments — forms part of their estate. So do their debts. A personal representative (the executor named in the will, or an administrator appointed if there is no will) is responsible for gathering in the estate, paying any debts, and distributing what remains to beneficiaries.
The bank needs to be satisfied that the person claiming access is the correct personal representative before releasing any funds.
Do you need probate?
This depends on the bank and the balance.
Most UK banks and building societies set a threshold below which they will release funds without a grant of probate, using a simpler process — typically a statutory declaration or small estates indemnity form, alongside a death certificate and proof of identity.
Above the threshold, a grant of probate (or letters of administration if there is no will) is normally required. This is a legal document issued by the Probate Registry that confirms the executor’s or administrator’s authority to deal with the estate.
Based on the published policies of major UK banks and building societies (verified March 2026):
| Bank | Probate threshold for sole accounts |
|---|---|
| Barclays | £50,000 |
| HSBC | £50,000 |
| Lloyds Bank | £50,000 |
| Nationwide | £50,000 |
| Santander | £50,000 |
| NatWest | ~£25,000 (contact to confirm) |
| Monzo | £25,000 |
| Metro Bank | £25,000 |
| Co-op Bank | £50,000 |
| Virgin Money | £35,000 |
| Halifax | Not published — contact to confirm |
| NS&I (Premium Bonds, savings) | £5,000 (all NS&I products combined) |
These thresholds apply to the total balance across all sole accounts at that institution, not each account individually. Note that NS&I’s £5,000 threshold is far lower than the major banks — see what happens to Premium Bonds when someone dies for detail. If you are unsure, contact the bank’s bereavement team — they will confirm their current threshold and process.
For more on what probate involves and how long it takes, see our guide: How long does probate take?
Paying for the funeral
Most banks will release funds directly to pay funeral costs, even before probate is granted, provided you can supply a funeral invoice on headed paper. This is a standard practice — you do not need to cover the funeral costs personally and wait for reimbursement from the estate, though some executors choose to do this. Contact the bank’s bereavement team to arrange it.
If the deceased had very little in their accounts and you are on a means-tested benefit (such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit), you may also qualify for Funeral Expenses Payment — a government grant covering burial or cremation fees plus up to £1,000 toward other costs.
What happens to direct debits and standing orders?
Once notified, the bank will cancel all direct debits and standing orders from a sole account. If any have already been paid after the date of death — for example, a mortgage payment that went out a day or two later — the bank will usually be able to recall these, but contact them promptly. If there is a mortgage on the property, notify the mortgage lender separately — the bank cannot do this on your behalf. See what happens to a mortgage when someone dies.
Utility companies, subscription services, and others may not be notified automatically. You will need to contact them separately — the what to do when someone dies section has a checklist of organisations to notify, with individual guides for Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds, Nationwide, HSBC, Santander, Halifax, Virgin Money, Monzo, and Co-op Bank.
For a full guide to which direct debits to cancel urgently, which may need to continue, and how to reclaim payments taken after the death, see what happens to direct debits when someone dies.
What happens to a joint bank account when someone dies
Joint bank accounts in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are almost always held as joint tenants — meaning both holders have equal and undivided rights to the entire balance. When one holder dies, their share passes automatically to the surviving holder by the right of survivorship. This happens regardless of what the deceased’s will says. Probate is not normally required for the joint balance.
The account is not frozen. The surviving account holder can continue to use it, make payments, and access funds immediately. The bank will update the account to a sole account in the survivor’s name, usually on presentation of a death certificate.
For a dedicated guide — covering overdrafts, inheritance tax treatment, Scotland’s different rules, and a step-by-step process — see what happens to a joint bank account when someone dies.
Does a will override the joint account?
No. If a will says “I leave my half of the joint account to my children”, this cannot override the right of survivorship. The surviving account holder inherits the balance, and the will’s instruction on that point has no effect. This is a common misunderstanding and occasionally a source of family dispute — the legal position is clear.
Scotland: the rules are different
In Scotland, the right of survivorship does not automatically transfer legal title to the surviving account holder in the same way as in England and Wales. A Scottish joint account gives the surviving holder the ability to operate the account after the death, but it does not automatically give them legal ownership of the deceased’s share.
Ownership of the funds in a Scottish joint account depends on who contributed the money:
- If both holders contributed, the balance is generally presumed to be owned equally, so half the balance at the date of death may be treated as part of the estate.
- If only one person contributed, the funds may belong entirely to that contributor’s estate.
- If the account holders were spouses or civil partners, the presumption of equal ownership applies.
If the deceased held accounts in Scotland, it is worth taking advice from a Scottish solicitor or seeking guidance on Scottish estate administration before assuming the joint balance passes freely to the survivor.
Tenants in common (rare)
In very limited cases, a joint bank account may be structured as tenants in common, where each holder owns a specific share. This is unusual for standard current and savings accounts but can occur through specific legal arrangements. If this applies, the deceased’s share does not automatically pass to the survivor and would form part of the estate.
How to notify the bank
There are three main routes for notifying banks when someone dies.
1. The Death Notification Service (recommended if the deceased banked at multiple institutions)
The Death Notification Service (deathnotificationservice.co.uk) is a free service run by the UK banking industry. It lets you notify multiple financial institutions simultaneously through a single online form. You do not need to create an account to use it, though registering allows you to track responses.
After you submit, member organisations will contact you within 10 working days if the deceased held an account with them.
Current members include Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, NatWest, Nationwide, Santander, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Monzo, Chase, M&S Bank, and others — covering the majority of the UK current account market.
Note: the Death Notification Service triggers an initial notification only. You will still need to deal directly with each bank to close accounts, complete paperwork, and receive funds. But it removes the need to make multiple separate phone calls to start the process.
2. Tell Us Once (government departments only — not banks)
Tell Us Once is a government service that allows you to report a death to multiple government departments simultaneously — HMRC, the DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office, local councils, and others. You receive a reference number from the registrar when you register the death, and must use it within 28 days. For a full guide to what HMRC needs after a death — income tax, self-assessment, and inheritance tax — see dealing with HMRC when someone dies.
Tell Us Once does not notify banks. It covers government bodies only. You must contact banks separately, either through the Death Notification Service or by contacting each bank directly.
3. Contacting banks directly
Every major UK bank has a dedicated bereavement team. You can notify them by phone, online, by post, or in branch. You do not need all your documents to hand for the initial notification — most banks will take basic details (name, date of birth, date of death, account number if known) and send you a reference number and a list of next steps.
For step-by-step guides to individual banks, including phone numbers and current processes:
- How to notify Barclays
- How to notify NatWest
- How to notify Lloyds Bank
- How to notify Nationwide
- How to notify HSBC
- How to notify Santander
- How to notify Halifax
- How to notify Monzo
- How to notify Metro Bank
- How to notify NS&I (Premium Bonds, savings accounts)
What documents will you need?
The bank will require documents in stages. For the initial notification you typically only need the deceased’s basic details. For account closure and release of funds, the usual requirements are:
| Document | Required for |
|---|---|
| Death certificate (original or certified copy) | All banks — required at closure stage |
| Proof of your identity (passport or driving licence) | Confirming your identity as personal representative |
| Grant of probate or letters of administration | Required if sole account balances exceed the bank’s threshold |
| Funeral invoice (on headed paper) | If requesting early release of funds for funeral costs |
Some banks will accept a certified copy of the death certificate by post. Others require the original, which they will return. Check the bank’s bereavement guidance before posting any original documents.
Do you need probate to access a bank account?
Not always. It depends on the bank and the balance.
For sole accounts below the bank’s threshold (typically £25,000–£50,000), most banks will release funds using a simpler process: a statutory declaration or indemnity form, the death certificate, and proof of your identity. You do not need to go through the full probate process.
For sole accounts above the threshold, probate is normally required. This means applying to the Probate Registry for a grant of representation, which can take several months. For more detail, see How long does probate take?
For joint accounts, probate is not normally required regardless of the balance, because the funds pass automatically to the surviving holder.
Important: thresholds apply per institution, not across all banks. If the deceased held £30,000 at Bank A and £30,000 at Bank B, each bank will apply its own threshold independently. You would not need to aggregate the balances for probate purposes — only the balance at each bank matters.
What happens to overdrafts and debt on a bank account?
If the deceased’s account was in overdraft, this is a debt of the estate. The bank will notify the executor or administrator of any outstanding balance, and it must be settled from the estate before any remaining funds are distributed to beneficiaries.
Creditors have a claim against the estate — not against surviving family members personally. If the deceased’s bank account was a sole account with an overdraft, no family member is personally liable to repay it, unless they also signed as a joint account holder or provided a personal guarantee.
Joint account overdrafts are an exception. If an account is in joint names and has an overdraft, the surviving account holder is jointly and severally liable for the full outstanding amount — not just their share. Contact the bank early if a joint account is overdrawn.
If the estate does not have enough assets to pay all debts — an insolvent estate — debts are paid in a priority order set by law, and unsecured creditors (including an overdraft) may receive nothing. The same rules apply to credit card debt: see what happens to credit card debt when someone dies for a full explanation of how unsecured debts are handled from the estate.
Common questions
Can I withdraw money from a deceased person’s account?
No — not from a sole account, once the bank has been notified of the death. Sole accounts are frozen on notification, and any withdrawal after that point (unless authorised by the bank as a funeral payment) would be treated as fraud, even by a family member or executor.
If you need to meet immediate costs — such as the funeral — speak to the bank’s bereavement team. They can arrange direct payment to the funeral director from the account, in most cases without probate.
How long does it take to close a bank account after a death?
It depends on whether probate is required. For small estates below the bank’s threshold, straightforward cases can be resolved in two to six weeks once all documents are received. Where probate is needed, the timeline is largely determined by how long probate takes — typically 16 weeks for a straightforward application, though complex estates can take considerably longer. See How long does probate take? for a full breakdown.
What if there is no will?
The bank account itself is dealt with in the same way — the account is frozen, and access requires someone to establish legal authority to administer the estate. Without a will, that authority comes from letters of administration rather than a grant of probate, but the bank’s process is identical.
The difference is in who has the authority to apply: without a will, the estate passes under the rules of intestacy, and the right to apply for letters of administration follows a legal order of priority (spouse or civil partner first, then children, then other relatives). The probate hub has more on intestacy and the application process.
What to do next: a summary
If you have just lost someone and need to know where to start with their bank accounts:
- Notify the bank early — you do not need all your documents yet. Call the bereavement line or use the bank’s online form. Most will accept a notification without a death certificate initially.
- Use the Death Notification Service if the deceased banked at multiple institutions — one form covers them all at deathnotificationservice.co.uk.
- Use Tell Us Once (separate from banks) to notify government departments — your registrar will give you the reference number when you register the death.
- Gather documents — death certificate, your proof of identity, the will if there is one.
- Check whether probate is needed — ask each bank for their current threshold and process. If the estate is large or complex, seek legal advice early.
- Do not withdraw money from a sole account — wait for the bank to confirm the correct process for releasing funds.
For a full checklist of organisations to notify after a death, see what to do when someone dies.
Pensions are another major asset that needs dealing with after a death — and unlike bank accounts, they usually bypass probate entirely. See our guide to what happens to a pension when someone dies for the full process.
If the deceased held an ISA — a cash ISA, stocks and shares ISA, or NS&I cash ISA — there are specific rules around the tax wrapper and a special allowance for surviving spouses. See what happens to an ISA when someone dies for the full details, including the APS (Additional Permitted Subscription) allowance.
If the deceased held other savings accounts — including NS&I Direct Savers, fixed-rate savings bonds, or building society accounts — see what happens to savings accounts when someone dies for a full guide to the process, probate thresholds, and FSCS protection.
If you are also dealing with a property, see our guide to what happens to a house when someone dies — including how joint tenancy, probate, and mortgages are handled.
If there is a car to deal with, see what happens to a car when someone dies — including the DVLA process, insurance, road tax, and what to do if there is outstanding car finance.
If the deceased ran a business, the bank account situation is different: a sole trader’s business account is treated as part of their personal estate and frozen immediately, while a limited company’s account belongs to the company and should not be affected by the owner’s death. See what happens to a business when someone dies for the full picture.