Last verified 2026-08-18; facts checked against the primary sources below
Citizens Bank deceased account and estate account
Last verified: August 18, 2026
The short answer: Contact Citizens before moving money or closing the account. Its current deposit agreement says surviving joint owners generally own a joint account, while a named beneficiary may receive a payable-on-death balance. For an estate account, Citizens publishes a form requesting the estate EIN, decedent information, executor details, ID, and court appointment document.
Citizens Bank estate process at a glance
| Need | Published requirement |
|---|---|
| Identify the case | Decedent name, Social Security number, and address |
| Show authority | Executor or administrator information and court appointment document |
| Open an estate account | Estate EIN, expected account duration, mailing instructions, and ID |
| Joint account | Survivor generally owns the balance, subject to documentation |
| POD/revocable trust | Surviving named beneficiary may claim the balance |
How do you start with Citizens Bank?
Call the number shown on the account statement or use Citizens' official contact page. Ask the representative to distinguish between settling the deceased customer's existing account and opening a new account for the probate estate.
The bank's Estate Account Request asks for the decedent's identifying information, the estate tax ID, attorney and executor details, expected duration, and statement destination. The form instructs the applicant to include the appointment certificate and executor identification.
What happens to joint and beneficiary accounts?
Citizens' current deposit agreement treats most joint accounts as joint tenancy with right of survivorship. It also describes revocable trust or POD accounts as payable to surviving named beneficiaries after the last owner's death. Citizens may still require proof of death and identity before releasing funds.
An account with no survivor or beneficiary usually requires estate authority. Ask Citizens whether California's small-estate affidavit is acceptable when no formal probate is open.
What should you preserve before closure?
Obtain the date-of-death balance, final statements, interest information, and a record of recurring deposits and debits. Do not close the account until returned benefit payments, checks, and tax documents are resolved.
Citizens determines the documents for each registration and state. Confirm the live checklist with the bank.