If you are unsure where the decedent banked, you may consider asking the decedent's family members, the executor/administrator of their estate or the trustee of their trust. You also could try visiting banks in the vicinity of where the decedent had resided to ask them about your beneficiary status in person.
A beneficiary account refers to the bank account of the person/s chosen as beneficiary. It is the destination account where funds are meant to be credited. This account can belong to an individual, a business entity, or even a non-profit organisation.
Contact the bank in advance to ensure you arrive with the appropriate documents, but you'll likely need to bring a notarized or certified copy of the death certificate and proof of your identity, such as a driver's license or passport. You'll also need the decedent's legal name and Social Security number.
The banks will then freeze the accounts until a Grant of Probate has been awarded. It's important to notify any relevant financial institutions as soon as possible after a death. Failing to do this, or continuing to use the person's bank card to make payments or withdrawals, is illegal.
In these cases, simply visit the bank with a valid ID and a certified copy of the death certificate. You will then have access to the account, allowing you to withdraw the funds as needed.
Visit Banks in Their Area You will need to provide documentation to prove both that the account holder died and you have the legal authority (as a designated beneficiary, joint account holder or executor/administrator) to access the account.
You'll need certain documents to prove it's legal to open the account. They include: The death certificate. The person's Social Security number.