The most frequently asked question is whether probate is required to close a bank account. Confusion arises because most banks have differing limits as to when they are prepared to close an account without probate.
If probate is not required then the bank will require a small estates indemnity which confirms that the person closing the account and receiving the funds will do so in accordance with the terms of the will or the Intestacy Rules. In our experience in handling probate cases, the limits do change very frequently and as such it is always best to check first with the bank.
Current bank limits for probate as at January 2022
- Barclays £50,000
- National Savings and Investments (NSI) £5,000
- Santander £50,000
- Nationwide £50,000
- HSBC £20,000 ( although subject to review)
- Halifax £50,000
- Lloyds £50,000
- First Direct £20,000
- Tesco Bank £50,000
- Post Office £30,000
- Skipton Building Society £30,000
Documents banks will always require
If probate is required the banks will always require the following :-
- original death certificate or certified copy by a solicitor
- the banks closure form
- proof of identification
- Grant of probate or Grant of letters of administration if there is no will
- copy of the will if there is one
Do You Need Some Help Closing an account ?
If you need help closing an account, we can help. Knowing who to contact and what forms to complete can be very confusing whilst as solicitors regularly handling probate cases with banks we do have online portals with some organisations that make the whole process much easier and quicker to handle.
Please feel to complete our online enquiry form or call us on 01482 429985.
