The funeral is over, the mortgage is due, and you are not sure the bank card in your purse still works.
Short answer: Not in the way a sole account is. When one holder of a joint account dies, the money passes to the survivor without probate (Citizens Advice, The Gazette). Tell the bank, and expect it to ask for the death certificate. A sole account is frozen until the estate is sorted. If the joint account had an overdraft, the debt can still be recovered from the survivor.
Based on Citizens Advice, The Gazette and MoneyHelper. Banks run their own processes, so ask yours what it needs.
Joint account or sole account
Joint accounts are usually held as joint tenants. The funds pass automatically to the survivor, whatever the will says, and probate is not required; the survivor gives the bank the death certificate and the account moves into their name (The Gazette). One exception: if the holders signed a declaration saying the account is held as tenants in common, the dead person’s share follows their will.
The same article says that once the bank has been told of a death, the account “will be frozen” in the general case, and it does not say how that works for joint accounts. So do not count on instant access, and keep some money in another account if you can.
What to do this week
- Tell the bank and send the death certificate.
- Ask the bank in writing what happens to direct debits and standing orders.
- Check whether the account has an overdraft, because it may now be yours to repay.
- Keep paying essential bills, such as rent or mortgage, if you can. Read what happens if you stop paying before missing any.
- If collectors write about the dead person’s own debts, check your rights and tell the creditor about the death.
Who owes what
MoneyHelper says joint debts such as a joint mortgage or overdrawn joint account can pass in full to the surviving borrowers, and you can ask the lender to put the debt into your sole name and renegotiate repayments (MoneyHelper). Debts in the dead person’s name alone come out of the estate, and relatives are not usually responsible. Related reading: joint debt and divorce.
The things you’re probably wondering
Do I need probate to use a joint account?
No. Citizens Advice says money in a joint account passes to the surviving holder without probate or letters of administration (Citizens Advice). The bank may ask to see the death certificate first.
What if the account was a sole account?
That is different. The executor sends the bank the death certificate and asks for the account to be frozen so no one can take money out without legal authority, and money is generally not shared out until probate is granted (Citizens Advice). Some banks release money for funeral costs sooner.
Is the overdraft on a joint account now mine?
Possibly. Citizens Advice says if the overdraft was on a joint account, the debt can still be recovered from the surviving account holder, and MoneyHelper lists a joint current account with an overdraft as an example of joint debt (Citizens Advice, MoneyHelper). See overdraft debt.
Are my relatives responsible for the debts of the person who died?
Usually not. MoneyHelper says surviving relatives will not usually be responsible for outstanding debts, with exceptions such as a guarantor or co-signatory (MoneyHelper). Read what happens to debt when you die.
Can I pay the funeral from the account?
The sources say funeral costs are paid first from the estate, and some banks release money for funeral costs before probate (MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice). Ask your bank what it needs.
Who can I call for free help?
The MoneyHelper contact centre is on 0800 011 3797 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), and its debt advice locator lists free advice (MoneyHelper). You can also ring StepChange on 0800 138 1111.
Disclaimer: DebtShift is an educational platform operated by H Ali Logistics Ltd, which is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This article is general education, not financial or legal advice. For free, impartial debt advice, contact StepChange on 0800 138 1111.
Sources
- Citizens Advice, Dealing with the financial affairs of someone who has died
- The Gazette, What happens to a bank account when someone dies?
- MoneyHelper, Dealing with the debts of someone who has died
Last reviewed October 2026
Free and occasional
Get plain-English debt help in your inbox
A few emails a month at most: practical debt tips and a heads-up when we launch a new free tool. No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.