If the deceased had a bank account, the bank may require probate or letters of administration before the executor can close the account. It is worth asking the financial institution to see whether money can be released without probate or letters of administration. Requirements vary from institution to institution and it depends on the value of the estate.

From 1 January 2025, the Succession Act 2023 (SA) expressly permits a person or institution holding $15,000 or less in cash or property belonging to the deceased to pay the money or transfer the property to a surviving spouse, domestic partner or child of the deceased without a grant of probate or administration [s 100].

If an account is in the deceased's name only, financial institutions may permit the release of funds to cover funeral expenses, or may be able to pay funeral costs directly when provided with a tax invoice.

Money held in a joint account automatically goes to the surviving account holder when the other account holders dies.