My uncle died and I am trying to take care of his affairs. He has nearly $100,000 in his bank account. What will I need to be able to close his bank account?
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If your uncle's account was in his sole name with no payable-on-death beneficiary named, and no joint owner, the only person who can do anything with the account is the official representative of his estate. A court must appoint a personal representative -- called an Executor (male) or Executrix (female) if your uncle left a will which will be probated, or called an Administrator (male) or Administratrix (female) if your uncle didn't leave a will. The bank will require a copy of the order appointing personal representative. Then they will, at the representative's direction, allow the funds to be transferred into an estate account, or if the account is to be established elsewhere, they will close the old individual account and make a check payable to the estate. Being named executor in the will isn't enough. Until a court accepts the will and appoints the representative, the bank can't help you.
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If your uncle's account was in his sole name with no 