This guide is maintained as a current resource for September 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Learn how bank accounts are treated in wills in England and Wales. This guide explains whether you need to include bank account details in a will, how executors deal with accounts after death, joint accounts, inheritance tax reporting, and practical steps to simplify estate administration.
Including bank accounts in a will is a common concern for those planning their estate. In England and Wales, the law governing wills, estates and probate treats bank and building society accounts as part of your estate. However, you do not usually include specific account numbers or details in the will itself. This article explains how bank accounts are treated under the law, how executors deal with them after death, how to provide clear instructions, and practical steps people should consider when planning their will.
What “Including” Bank Accounts in Your Will Actually Means
A will is a legal document setting out how you want your estate dealt with when you die. Your estate includes property, money, possessions and other assets you own solely in your name at the time of death. Bank accounts (current accounts, savings, deposit accounts and similar financial accounts) form part of this estate.
However, you do not normally list specific bank account numbers or details in your will. This is because:
- Specific account details may change over time, and updating every change would require frequent will revisions.
- A properly drafted will includes a residuary clause covering all assets you own at death but do not specifically mention. This broadly captures bank accounts and other financial assets without listing them individually.
In practice, people preparing wills work with a solicitor or will writer to ensure the document captures their overall estate plan and includes clear instructions for beneficiaries.
Bank Accounts as Part of Your Estate
At law in England and Wales:
- Any sole-owned bank accounts you hold at death form part of your estate. Executors (people you appoint in your will to administer your estate) must identify, value and collect those accounts as part of the estate.
- Accounts held jointly with another person usually pass automatically to the surviving joint owner by the law of survivorship. This happens irrespective of what your will says. As a result, including joint accounts in your will to try to change this usually has no effect.
- Accounts with a designated beneficiary (for example some savings plans where a beneficiary name is registered with the institution) also bypass the will and pass directly to the named beneficiary.
This means that your will should be drafted with these principles in mind.
Executors and Bank Accounts
When you die, your will's executors are responsible for administering your estate. Their role in relation to bank accounts typically includes:
- Notifying each bank or building society of your death and providing certified copies of your death certificate and the will.
- Applying for a grant of probate if needed. Probate is a legal authority confirming the executors' power to deal with your estate. Many banks require probate before releasing funds if the account balance is above a threshold or if the account is in the sole name of the deceased.
- Freezing and collecting funds: Once notified of the death, most banks will freeze accounts until probate is granted. After probate, the executors can collect the funds and apply them according to your will's terms.
Practical Steps to Ensure Bank Accounts Are Handled Smoothly
Although you do not list specific bank account details in your will, there are practical steps you can take to make administration easier:
- Prepare an asset list outside the will. Include all bank and savings accounts you hold, the financial institution's name, approximate balances and contact details. Keep this list updated as accounts are opened or closed.
- Store the list securely with your will or inform your executors or solicitor where to find it. This helps executors locate accounts quickly after your death.
- Avoid sharing passwords or sensitive login details in your will or unsecured places. Banks treat this information as confidential, and terms and conditions often prohibit sharing.
- Discuss your intentions with heirs so they understand where accounts are held and what to expect when estate administration begins. This can reduce confusion and delay.
Joint Accounts and Survivorship
Accounts held jointly with another person normally pass automatically to the surviving account holder on death. This is known as the law of survivorship. In such cases:
- The joint account does not form part of your estate for distribution by the will.
- Your will cannot override these rights of survivorship, so you cannot use your will to redirect funds held in a joint account to someone else.
If you do not want the surviving joint owner to inherit automatically, consult a solicitor about changing the ownership structure of the account before death.
Tax and Reporting Considerations
For inheritance tax purposes, all bank and similar accounts owned solely by you form part of your estate and are valued at the date of death. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) requires this information on the appropriate inheritance tax forms. Executors usually complete these forms with details of bank balances at death.
Common Misconceptions
- My will must list every account and account number – this is not necessary, and doing so is discouraged.
- Joint accounts are distributed by my will – jointly held accounts usually pass to the surviving owner and are not distributed under your will.
- Listing account details in a will ensures easier access – banks generally require legal authority (such as probate) rather than just account numbers.
At a Glance
In England and Wales, bank and building society accounts form part of your estate if they are held in your sole name. You do not normally list specific account numbers in your will. Instead, a properly drafted will includes a residuary clause that covers all such assets. Joint accounts and accounts with designated beneficiaries usually pass outside your will by operation of law.
To ensure your executors can efficiently administer your estate, prepare and securely store a separate asset list of all bank accounts, keep it up to date, and discuss your planning with them or with a solicitor. Executors must notify banks of your death, obtain probate when required, and collect funds as part of estate administration.
