What happens to a sole bank account when someone dies?

The bank freezes it as soon as it's notified of the death. Money can still come in (pension refunds, interest) but nothing goes out except, usually, funeral costs and inheritance tax paid via the bank's own process. The balance is released to the executor once the bank sees the death certificate and, above its threshold, the Grant of Probate.

What happens to a joint bank account when one holder dies?

It passes automatically to the surviving account holder by survivorship — outside the will and outside probate. The bank simply re-registers it in the survivor's sole name on sight of the death certificate. Note: for inheritance tax, the deceased's share may still count toward the estate value.

How do banks release money without probate?

Each bank sets its own threshold — typically £5,000 to £50,000. Below it, most release funds on the death certificate plus their own indemnity form, often quickly for a spouse. Above it they require the sealed grant. Ask each institution for its deceased-customer pack.

Can I use a dead person's debit card to pay for things?

No — using the account after death is fraud, even for estate expenses and even if you have the PIN. The proper route: the bank will usually pay the funeral invoice directly from the frozen account, and HMRC directly for inheritance tax, before probate.

What happens to debts like overdrafts and credit cards?

They're paid from the estate in the legal order — funeral and admin costs first, then secured debts, taxes, then unsecured debts like cards and overdrafts. Family members never inherit personal debts unless they were joint borrowers or guarantors.

Bank Accounts After Death UK: What Happens (2026)

Bank accounts after a death: what freezes, what passes, what to do

Quick answer

When someone dies, sole bank accounts freeze on notification and are released to the executor once the bank sees the death certificate — and the Grant of Probate if the balance exceeds the bank's threshold (roughly £5,000–£50,000). Joint accounts pass automatically to the survivor. Banks usually pay funeral costs and inheritance tax directly from the frozen account. Debts are settled from the estate, never inherited by family.

The sequence at every bank

Notify the bank with the death certificate (many have online notification forms now).
Account freezes — direct debits and standing orders stop; credits like pension refunds can still arrive.
Bank sends its deceased-customer pack — balance confirmation as at the date of death (the executor needs this for the tax forms) and its release requirements.
Release — on the death certificate below threshold, or on the sealed grant above it.
Closure — funds move to the executor account; never route estate money through your own account.

Paying the funeral bill and inheritance tax before probate

Two payments can leave a frozen account early. Most banks will pay a funeral director's invoice directly on presentation. And under HMRC's Direct Payment Scheme, banks transfer inheritance tax straight to HMRC — essential, because some IHT usually has to be paid before the grant is issued. Ask the bank for both processes explicitly; branch staff don't always volunteer them.

Joint accounts and the inheritance tax nuance

The surviving holder keeps the money automatically — but if the deceased paid in most of it, HMRC may count their share toward the taxable estate. Executors still need date-of-death values for joint accounts on the IHT forms. Between spouses the spouse exemption usually makes this academic; between others it can matter.

Don't forget the rest of the map

Premium bonds (NS&I) — separate process; prizes after death stay in the estate.
ISAs — lose tax-free status at death; spouses get a one-off Additional Permitted Subscription allowance.
Pensions — usually outside the estate via nominations; see the scheme, not probate.
Digital money — PayPal, crypto exchanges, marketplace balances: include them in the asset search, and see digital legacy.

If accounts turn up late

Forgotten accounts surface constantly — old building society books, dormant ISAs. If one appears after distribution, the executor collects it and redistributes per the will; small late finds are why many executors keep a modest reserve. The full working order is in the executor checklist.