Accounts Families Must Close After Death
Published January 2026 · Last reviewed for accuracy May 2026
Accounts to close after death are all financial, legal, service, and digital accounts held in the deceased person’s name that must be canceled, transferred, or updated to stop charges, prevent fraud, and complete estate administration.
What accounts need to be closed after death?
All accounts owned, co-owned, or used by the deceased must be identified and closed, transferred, or reclassified based on ownership structure and beneficiary designations.
- Bank accounts (checking, savings, money market, certificates of deposit)
- Credit cards (individual accounts, joint accounts, authorized user accounts)
- Investment accounts (brokerage accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs)
- Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, pensions, annuities)
- Loan accounts (mortgages, home equity loans, HELOCs, auto loans, personal loans, student loans)
- Lines of credit (personal lines of credit, business lines of credit)
- Insurance policies (life, health, dental, vision, disability, long-term care, homeowners, renters, auto)
- Government benefit accounts (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, pensions)
- Tax accounts (IRS accounts, state tax agencies, property tax accounts)
- Utility accounts (electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, trash, recycling)
- Communication services (internet, cable, satellite TV, mobile phone, landline)
- Subscription services (streaming services, software subscriptions, digital subscriptions, subscription boxes)
- Digital accounts (email accounts, social media accounts, cloud storage accounts, online logins)
- Financial platforms (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Cryptocurrency accounts (crypto wallets, exchanges, digital asset platforms)
- E-commerce and retail accounts (Amazon, eBay, Walmart, online store accounts)
- Business accounts (business bank accounts, merchant services, payroll systems, vendor accounts, business licenses)
- Lease and rental agreements (residential leases, commercial leases, storage units, equipment leases)
- Medical accounts (hospital billing, physician billing, payment plans, collections accounts)
- Pharmacy accounts (prescription profiles, payment accounts)
- Insurance billing accounts (premium payment accounts, autopay setups)
- Safe deposit boxes (bank-held boxes requiring access and closure)
- Loyalty and rewards programs (airline miles, hotel rewards, credit card rewards programs)
- Memberships (gyms, clubs, professional associations, organizations)
- Professional licenses and certifications
- Education-related accounts (tuition accounts, student portals, loan servicers)
- Childcare and school billing accounts
- Pet-related accounts (veterinary providers, pet insurance, boarding services)
- Home service accounts (cleaning services, landscaping, pest control, pool maintenance, security systems)
- Transportation accounts (toll tags, transit passes, parking accounts, ride-share accounts)
- Travel accounts (frequent flyer accounts, hotel accounts, travel portals)
- Domain names and website hosting accounts
- Online storage and backup services
- Gaming accounts and virtual asset accounts
How Families Keep This Information Organized
Many families struggle to keep this information organized in one place.
A digital binder allows you to securely store important information so your loved ones can quickly find what they need during an emergency.
Reviewed and maintained by Buttoned Up Digital Binder, a digital organization system designed to help families securely organize emergency, legal, financial, and estate information.
This information is general in nature and is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Laws vary by state and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.