Losing a parent can be a very emotional thing, especially when you realize just how much needs to be organized following the death of a loved one. You have to plan the funeral, register your mother’s death and deal with all the finances she left behind.
When you are grieving the last thing you want to concern yourself with is the cost of a funeral or your late mother’s estate – and yet these are things that should always be dealt with as quickly as possible.
But if you have realized that you have no way of accessing your deceased mother’s bank account, then we have the answers you seek.
Down below we have collected some important information concerning your mother’s bank account and how you can access it after she has died. By reading this you will have everything you need to start organizing your late parent’s assets and their estate.
Who Can Access Your Deceased Mother’s Account?
If your late mother has left behind a valid will, then this means that her bank account can only be accessed by the executor of her will. This can be yourself or another member of your immediate family.
However, if your mother has passed away without writing a will, then her finances will be handled by an administrator – who will be appointed to her estate by a court.
It is the executor or the administrator who is granted full access to your late mother’s assets and bank accounts.
If you are the executor of your mother’s will, then this means you have the authority to open her bank account and remove any tender.
However, this process is not a simple one and you may need to apply for a ‘grant of representation’ or probate to confirm you are your mother’s executor.
What Is A Grant of Probate?
A Grant of Representation, otherwise known as a Grant of Probate, is a court-issued document that confirms the names of the executors who are entitled access to a deceased person’s estate.
If you contact a bank hoping to gain access to your deceased mother’s account, then the bank will expect you to have a Grant of Probate as proof of your executor identity.
Before issuing a Grant of Probate, the Registry will often deal with any disputes or claims associated with your mother’s will.
If your mother has passed away and not left behind a suitable will, then you can instead apply for a document called a Grant of Letters of Administration. This document can also be used when your mother has written a will but not named an executor for it.
Some estates may not require a Grant of Probate at all, especially if the assets of the estate are small or were jointly owned by another person.
When wanting to access a large number of funds, the bank or society holding your mother’s money will expect you to have a Grant of Probate to confirm that you are the only person with the entitlement to open the account.
How Do I Access My Deceased Mother’s Bank Account?
The process of accessing your mother’s bank account can be a slow and stressful experience.
As there are many legal documents you will need to prove your identity before you can open your mother’s account – especially if you wish to withdraw funds from the account, or close it altogether.
Down below we have outlined the steps that you should take when trying to access your mother’s account after she has died.
– Proof Of Death: The first thing you will need to do is contact your mother’s bike and alert them to her passing. This may sound like a simple task, but a bank will not accept the information at face value. This means that you will need to take proof of death to the bank with you – this will often take the form of a death certificate.
– Proof Of Identity: As the executor, you will also have to take proof of your identity to the bank, to confirm your relationship with the deceased. This means you should take some form of ID with you, this can be a driver’s licence or even the Grant of Probate.
– Release The Funds: Once you have confirmed your identity and the shown evidence of your mother’s death, then you can ask the bank to release your mother’s funds. This process can vary depending on the bank’s policies and the amount of money you wish to remove. A typical amount for immediate release ranges between 15,000 and 50,000.
– Grant Of Probate: The bank or society will also want to see your Grant of Probate when wanting to release funds from your mother’s account. Make sure to take this with you whenever you are dealing with your mother’s estate.
– Close The Account: If you wish to remove all funds from your mother’s account, then you can also ask the bank to close it when you are done.
