How do you access an account when a person is deceased?

Only the legal heir of the deceased person can access his account. The legal heir must carry proof for his legal status as heir to the deceased person and also proof that the account holder is no more, in order to gain access to his account. If you cannot provide proofs for either of the above mentioned things, the bank does not have a legal obligation to provide access to the deceased individuals account.

United States

The account can only be accessed by the court appointed estate representative, i.e., executor or administrator.