To prevent fraud or unwanted payments, freeze or close financial accounts that will no longer be used.

Typically, these accounts include but are not limited to:

• Savings


• Checking


• Pension


• Retirement


• Money market accounts


• Certificates of deposit (CD)

Typically, a copy of the Death Certificate and other personal information from the deceased, such as social security number and / or address, will be required.

If any of the accounts provide auto-payments for services or products, transfer the payments to a different account, or be sure to cancel the service.

If any account has outstanding debts or overdue payments, do not pay them directly.

Instead, they should be paid for with money from the Estate during Probate.

For more information about debt payments during Estate Settlement, review items within the Estate section of the checklist.