June 15, 2026
Step-by-step guide for executors closing a Washington Trust Bank account after someone dies. Documents needed, timeline, and what to do if probate is required.
Lisa found the statements tucked in a folder in her father's desk. Three accounts at Washington Trust Bank. Checking. Savings. A CD. She had no idea how to close them -- or even which Washington Trust Bank she was dealing with.
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Closing a bank account after someone dies is one of the most common tasks executors face, and one of the least explained. Your attorney handles the legal work. The bank handles its own process. Nobody hands you a checklist.
This guide gives you that checklist. You'll learn which Washington Trust Bank you're dealing with, what documents you need, the exact steps to close the account, and what to realistically expect. The process is manageable once you know what the bank actually requires.
There are two different banks that share this name. Before you call anyone, confirm which one held your loved one's accounts.
Washington Trust Bank is headquartered in Spokane, Washington, and serves the Pacific Northwest. Their website is watrust.com. If the statements show a Spokane address or Pacific Northwest branch locations, this is the bank you're dealing with.
Washington Trust Company is headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island, and operates throughout New England. Their website is washtrust.com. If the statements show Rhode Island, Connecticut, or Massachusetts branch addresses, this is the one.
The process for closing accounts after death is similar at both institutions. The contact information, branch locations, and specific forms differ. This guide covers both, and calls out differences where they matter.
If you're not sure which bank it is, look at the routing number on the account statements. Each bank has a unique routing number that will confirm the institution.
Once the bank learns about a death, the account is frozen. That means no withdrawals, no new transactions, no online access. This is standard practice at every bank, and it happens fast, usually within one to two business days of notification.
If the account was joint (owned by two people), the surviving co-owner typically keeps access automatically. The bank will update the account to reflect sole ownership, which usually just requires a death certificate.
If the account was a POD account (Payable on Death), the named beneficiary can claim the funds directly without going through probate. The beneficiary brings a death certificate and their own ID to a branch. Most banks process POD claims within a few days.
If the account was solely owned by the person who died, with no joint owner and no beneficiary, it becomes part of the probate estate. The executor will need court-issued authority documents before the bank will release anything. This is the most common situation and the most involved process.
Gather these before calling or visiting a branch. Showing up without the right paperwork means a wasted trip and a second appointment.
Washington state has a small estate affidavit law that many executors don't know about. If the total value of the deceased's personal property (bank accounts, vehicles, investments) is under $100,000, you may be able to claim the funds without going through probate at all.
Instead of Letters Testamentary, you present a signed affidavit stating that the estate qualifies. The bank reviews it and releases the funds, usually within a week or two. This can save weeks of waiting for probate court.
Check Washington RCW 11.62 for the specific requirements, or ask an estate attorney whether your situation qualifies. If the estate is under the threshold, this path is almost always faster.
Use the checklist above. Don't skip this step. Arriving at the bank without the right paperwork is the single most common reason this process takes longer than it should.
Call the bank before visiting. This lets them pull the account records, assign a specialist, and tell you exactly which forms you'll need to bring.
When you call, tell them you're the executor and that you need to close the accounts of a deceased account holder. They'll guide you on next steps and set expectations for your visit.
Most banks require at least one in-person visit for account closure. Bring all your documents. The bank will review your authority documents (Letters Testamentary or small estate affidavit), verify your identity, and have you sign their internal closure forms.
If you're an out-of-state executor, ask whether the bank accepts documentation by mail or notarized submission. Many community banks accommodate this.
You have two options once the bank approves the closure:
Option 2 is usually cleaner. Having a dedicated estate account makes it easier to track what came in, pay estate expenses, and show a clear accounting to beneficiaries later.
Ask for a closing statement that shows the account is closed with a $0 balance. Keep this for the estate records. You'll want documentation that every account was properly closed when it comes time to close the estate itself.
This depends almost entirely on whether probate is required.
Small estate affidavit path (under $100K personal property): One to three weeks from first contact to funds released. This is the fastest route if you qualify.
Full probate required: Three to twelve months. You can't get Letters Testamentary until probate is opened, and probate in Washington state takes time. The bank account sits frozen until you have that court paperwork.
Joint or POD accounts: Often one to two weeks. These accounts don't require probate, so the process is much faster.
Regardless of which path applies, notify the bank promptly. Account balances continue accumulating (and recurring charges may still try to hit the account) until it's formally closed.
The bank won't release funds without Letters Testamentary. This is correct procedure for solely-owned accounts. If you haven't started probate, you'll need to. An estate attorney can open probate quickly if the estate is straightforward.
Automatic payments are still hitting the account. Cancel these immediately after the account is frozen. The bank may reject them, but some may still clear. Common culprits: insurance premiums, streaming services, loan payments. Contact each service directly to cancel.
The bank can't find the account. Try different search parameters. Some people opened accounts under slight name variations. Bring the physical statements if you have them. The branch manager can search by Social Security number.
There's a dispute between beneficiaries. Stop. Don't proceed without an attorney. If heirs disagree about the estate distribution, that's a legal matter that needs to be resolved before accounts are closed.
The bank is asking for documents you don't have. Ask specifically what they need and where to get it. For Letters Testamentary, that's the probate court. For death certificates, that's the funeral home or the Washington Department of Health. For the estate EIN, that's the IRS (free, available online at irs.gov in about 15 minutes).
Closing the Washington Trust Bank account is one task on a much longer list.
Most executors need to handle 70 or more notifications and closures before the estate is settled. Utilities, subscriptions, social media platforms, government agencies, credit bureaus, employer benefits, insurance policies. Each one has its own process, its own paperwork, and its own hold times on the phone.
AnnCare handles 50+ of those closures directly -- utilities, subscriptions, social media, government notifications, and more -- for a flat $699. We submit paperwork to financial institutions and walk you through each bank's specific process step by step. We don't close bank accounts for you (banks require the executor's direct involvement), but we handle the rest.
See what AnnCare covers for $699 and decide whether it's the right fit for your situation.
Can I access the Washington Trust Bank account before I have Letters Testamentary?
No, not for a solely-owned account. The bank freezes the account when notified of the death, and only the court-appointed executor or administrator can access it. If you're concerned about urgent expenses, talk to the bank manager. Some banks have hardship processes for immediate burial costs or household bills, but standard account access requires proper legal authority.
Do I need a lawyer to close the account?
Not always. If the estate qualifies for Washington's small estate affidavit and the account was solely owned, you may be able to handle this yourself. If probate is required, you'll likely want an estate attorney to open and manage the probate process. You don't need an attorney just to visit the bank and close the account once you have the right documents.
Can I use the funds in the account to pay estate expenses before it's closed?
Only after you have proper legal authority (Letters Testamentary or small estate affidavit). Once you do, you can use estate funds for legitimate estate expenses: burial costs, outstanding bills, attorney fees, and eventual distribution to beneficiaries. Keep records of every disbursement.
What if the deceased had a safe deposit box at Washington Trust Bank?
A safe deposit box is a separate matter from the account. Access rules vary by state and by bank. In Washington state, you'll generally need to petition the court for access if you're not a co-renter on the box. The bank can tell you their specific process and what documents are required. Do this at the same time you handle the account closure to save a second trip.
What if there's money left in the account after everyone is paid?
That balance is distributed to the beneficiaries according to the will, or according to Washington state intestate succession law if there's no will. The executor is responsible for making those distributions after all estate debts and expenses are paid. Your estate attorney can walk you through the correct order of priority.
Closing a Washington Trust Bank account after someone dies is a manageable process. You need the right documents, the right appointment, and a clear understanding of which path applies to your situation -- small estate affidavit or full probate.
Once the account is closed, you'll have one more thing checked off a very long list. Most executors spend 570 hours settling an estate over 16 months. The bank accounts are just a fraction of that.
If the rest of the list feels overwhelming, that's where AnnCare comes in. We handle the 50+ notifications and closures your attorney doesn't -- utilities, subscriptions, social media, government agencies -- for a flat $699. Learn how AnnCare works and see if it's right for your situation.
Get a free consultation today and see how we can lift the burden for families.
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