When you’re searching what happens to bank account when someone dies without a will UK, you’re usually trying to figure out two things fast:
- Will the bank freeze the account?
- Who can legally access the money?
In the UK, banks typically restrict a sole account once they’re notified of the death, and the “no will” part mainly affects who can apply for Letters of Administration and who inherits under intestacy rules.
Explained: What happens to bank account when someone dies without a will UK?
Let’s explore what happens step-by-step, including joint accounts, sole accounts, Letters of Administration, and what banks may pay out before everything is final.
What the bank usually does when you report a death?
In practice, once a bank is told an account holder has died, it will move the customer into its bereavement process (often via a dedicated bereavement team). The bank may restrict transactions to protect the estate while it checks who has the authority to act.
A useful parallel step (separate from banks) is using Tell Us Once, a GOV.UK service that lets you report the death to multiple government organisations in one go.
Bereavement team basics: What they’ll ask for?
Most banks will ask for:
- Confirmation of the death (often a death certificate).
- Your details and relationship to the person who died.
- Whether there is a will (in your case: no).
Does the bank freeze the account straight away?
Often, the bank will stop most outgoing payments and block withdrawals on sole accounts once it’s notified. The aim is to prevent unauthorised spending while the estate is being administered. (Exact handling varies by bank and account type.)
Joint bank account vs sole bank account: what changes?
| Account type | What usually happens next | What you typically need |
|---|---|---|
| Joint account | Balance usually transfers to the surviving account holder under survivorship | A death certificate is commonly requested |
| Sole account | Access is usually restricted until the right person is recognised as the estate’s administrator | Death certificate + (often) Letters of Administration or bank indemnity, depending on balances |
Joint accounts and survivorship
Citizens Advice notes that for joint bank/building society accounts, the money usually goes to the surviving joint owner without needing probate/letters of administration for that account (though you may still need a grant for other assets).
Sole accounts: Why “no will” matters more here?
If there’s no will, there’s no executor. Instead, someone typically applies to become the administrator and receives Letters of Administration (a type of grant of representation). GOV.UK explains that if there’s no will, the closest living relative may apply.
Can you withdraw money from the deceased’s bank account if there’s no will?
Most of the time: no, not just because you’re next of kin.
“Next of kin” vs legal authority
“Next of kin” is often used socially, but banks generally need formal authority before releasing money from a sole account. With no will, this authority typically comes via Letters of Administration, unless the bank is willing to release smaller balances using its own process (for example, an indemnity).
What not to do (to avoid problems later)?
- Don’t use the deceased’s debit card, online banking, or transfer money “just to cover bills”.
- Don’t distribute money to family “informally” before debts/taxes are handled.
- Don’t assume being a spouse/child automatically gives immediate access to a sole account.
(If urgent payments are needed, see the funeral/IHT section below; many banks have a safe process for that.)
When will the bank release funds without probate/Letters of Administration?
There’s no single UK-wide rule: banks set their own thresholds and evidence requirements.
Small estates: why thresholds vary by bank?
Some banks may release funds without a grant if the balance is below their internal threshold and you sign an indemnity (a promise to repay if the bank pays the wrong person).
For example, NatWest describes releasing funds without a grant via an indemnity agreement when balances are below a stated low amount (thresholds can differ by bank and can change).
| Situation | What banks often do | Typical proof asked for |
|---|---|---|
| A modest balance in a sole account | May release without a grant under an indemnity process | Death certificate + your ID + forms |
| Larger balance / multiple beneficiaries/dispute risk | Usually require Letters of Administration | Grant of representation (Letters of Administration) |
Practical takeaway: ask the bereavement team, “What’s your current threshold for requiring a grant for this account, and can you confirm it in writing/email?”
Letters of Administration: what it is and how it unlocks the bank account?
If there’s no will, this is the document that commonly “unblocks” sole accounts.
Probate vs Letters of Administration
- Probate is commonly used to describe the legal process and/or the grant when there is a will.
- Letters of Administration is the grant issued when there is no will (intestacy).
GOV.UK provides the “applying for probate” guidance and explicitly separates the route when there isn’t a will.
Who can apply?
GOV.UK’s starting point is that who can apply depends on whether there is a will, and if not, it’s typically the closest living relative (rules and priority can vary by UK nation).
Who inherits the bank account under UK intestacy rules?
Important: “UK” searches bundle three legal systems. The inheritance rules differ between:
- England & Wales (GOV.UK intestacy guide),
- Scotland (separate succession rules),
- Northern Ireland (NI Direct guidance).
England & Wales
GOV.UK’s intestacy tool walks you through who inherits depending on whether there’s a spouse/civil partner, children, and other relatives.
Scotland
Scottish estate administration and intestacy are handled differently (including different court processes and terminology). The Scottish Courts site explains that if there’s no will, there can be extra steps in the procedure for larger estates.
Northern Ireland
NI Direct explains what to do if there’s no will and provides probate/intestacy guidance for Northern Ireland.
Here’s what you can do next: confirm which UK nation’s rules apply (where the person was domiciled/usually lived), and use the official guidance for that nation before distributing any money.
What the bank may pay from the account before everything is settled?
Even when a sole account is restricted, many banks/building societies will pay certain costs directly.
Funeral costs
Some providers state they can release money for funeral invoices before the account is fully closed. Nationwide notes that it can release funds for funeral costs before a grant is obtained (subject to requirements like an invoice, paid to the funeral director).
HSBC also describes making funeral payments (or partial payments) from available funds in the deceased’s account.
Inheritance Tax and probate fees
Nationwide also notes it can release funds pre-grant for items like inheritance tax and probate court fees (again, subject to their process).
What happens to standing orders, direct debits, cards and online banking?
- Direct debits/standing orders from a sole account may be stopped once the bank is notified, and restrictions apply (but don’t assume, ask the bereavement team to confirm what’s still leaving the account).
- Don’t keep using cards or online banking access after death, it can create legal and practical headaches when the estate is being finalised.
If you don’t know where they banked: two practical routes
- Check paperwork and digital traces (post, emails, banking apps, saved payees, salary/pension references).
- Use the Death Notification Service, which lets you notify multiple participating financial institutions in one go (handy if you’re unsure which banks/building societies are involved).
What you’ll usually need for the bank?
Keep this lean and focused (and take copies).
- Death certificate (banks often request an original or certified copy)
- Your photo ID + proof of address
- The deceased’s details (full name, DOB, last address, account numbers if known)
- Proof there’s no will (sometimes just your confirmation; sometimes they’ll ask what searches you’ve done)
- If required: Letters of Administration (grant of representation)
- Funeral invoice (if you’re asking the bank to pay the funeral director)
When to get legal help?
Consider professional help if:
- There are disputes between relatives,
- There’s a cohabiting partner (not married/in a civil partnership),
- There are substantial debts or unclear asset ownership,
- The deceased lived in (or owned assets across) different UK nations.
MoneyHelper has a clear consumer-focused overview of distributing an estate when there isn’t a will.
Social signals and real-world sentiment
Access to Deceased’s Bank Account (No Will)
by inLegalAdviceUK
🧾 Applying for probate can be a challenging time.
Our latest Inside HMCTS podcast episode features two experienced members of the probate team who explain the process, answer common questions, and offer tips to help guide you.
🎧 Listen here: https://t.co/YhYNbpKaH1 pic.twitter.com/7HsVFmT698
— HM Courts and Tribunals Service (@HMCTSgovuk) May 27, 2025
Final summary
If someone dies without a will in the UK, their sole bank account is usually restricted after death is reported, and access typically depends on the right person obtaining Letters of Administration (unless the bank releases smaller balances under its own rules).
Joint accounts usually pass to the surviving account holder. Who inherits depends on the relevant intestacy rules for England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
FAQ
Do banks freeze accounts when someone dies in the UK?
Often, banks restrict sole accounts once notified to protect the estate while the authority is confirmed.
Can funeral expenses be paid from the deceased’s bank account?
Many banks/building societies will pay the funeral director directly if you provide an invoice, even before the grant is issued.
What do you need if there’s no will?
You usually need Letters of Administration (a grant of representation) to access and administer the estate’s assets.
Author expertise note
This guide is built from official UK sources (GOV.UK, NI Direct, Scottish Courts) plus published UK bank/building society bereavement policies. Banks’ processes can still differ, and regulators have specifically highlighted that firms can improve bereavement support.
