Bank accounts after a death in Georgia.

The bank freezes the account in the deceased's sole name. No withdrawals, no transfers, no new auto-pays. The reason: they don't know yet who legally has the right to that money, and federal regulations require them to be careful before paying out.

What still flows through, usually:

• Direct deposits coming IN (last paycheck, final Social Security check — though SSA may claw the latter back).
• Pre-authorized recurring payments OUT for a short window (days to weeks, varies by bank) — then they stop.

One of three things, depending on how the account was set up:

1. 1

   Joint account with another living person.

   The surviving joint owner can keep using the account. The bank typically requires a death certificate and a new signature card; the deceased's name comes off. Fastest path. No probate needed for the account itself.

2. 2

   Payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death beneficiary.

   Sometimes called “Totten trusts.” If the account had a named POD beneficiary, that person can claim the funds directly — usually with a death certificate + ID, often within a week. The funds bypass probate.

3. 3

   Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.

   If the account was in the deceased's sole name with no POD beneficiary, only the court-appointed executor or administrator can access it. That requires opening probate and getting Letters issued (typically 3–8 weeks for uncontested cases in Georgia). Once you have Letters, the bank works with you to set up an estate account and transfer the funds.

• Submit the death certificate. The bank wants this on file as soon as possible. Submit it even before you petition for probate; it starts the bank's internal estate-account process.
• Ask for a list of recurring auto-pays and deposits. Banks will provide this. Critical for figuring out what else is going to stop.
• Confirm the account-freeze details in writing. Get the freeze date and what's being held. You may need this for probate court later.
• Don't use the ATM card. Even if you know the PIN, withdrawing from a deceased person's account without authority can be theft under Georgia law — and the bank may flag the transaction and pursue it.

A common immediate crunch. Options:

• Joint accounts: the survivor pays out of the account they still control.
• Pre-paid funeral plans: many older homeowners have one. Check with the funeral home.
• Family advances: a relative pays now, gets reimbursed from the estate later. The reimbursement is a legitimate estate expense at the top of the priority list under Georgia law.
• Burial insurance / final-expense policies: often pay within a week of submitting the death certificate.
• Veterans' benefits: the VA covers a portion of burial costs for honorably discharged veterans. Call 1-800-827-1000.