How do I find accounts I do not know about?

Check post and emails, the deceased's tax records, and use the free My Lost Account tracing service for dormant bank and NS&I holdings.

Duties · 5 min read

Notifying banks, pensions and insurers after a death

This is the stage that determines how long everything else takes. Write to everyone in one batch, ask each of them the same questions, and record the answers in one place.

Written and reviewed by Ramani Gill, Founder & CEO — Solicitor, TEP, BA, LLM. Last reviewed 2026-08-19.

Who to write to

Every bank and building society, including dormant accounts
NS&I, for Premium Bonds and savings
Pension providers, both workplace and personal
Life insurers and any funeral plan provider
Share registrars and investment platforms
Mortgage lender, credit card issuers and any loan providers
Utilities, telecoms and the local council

What to ask for in every letter

The balance or value as at the exact date of death
Interest or dividends accrued but not credited at that date
Confirmation of how the asset is held: sole, joint, or in trust
Any debt outstanding at the date of death
The organisation's own closure or claim form

Date-of-death figures, not today's

Current balances are no use for the Inheritance Tax account. Always ask specifically for the position on the date of death.

Doing this yourself?

Our guided service walks an executor through valuations, the HMCTS forms and the estate accounts for a one-off £349.

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Keeping track

Record	Why
Date written and date chased	Evidence of reasonable enquiries
Reference number given by each organisation	Every follow-up call needs it
Date-of-death value received	Feeds the estate schedule directly
Whether a sealed grant copy is needed	Tells you how many copies to order

GOV.UK — What to do after a death

Common questions

How do I find accounts I do not know about?: Check post and emails, the deceased's tax records, and use the free My Lost Account tracing service for dormant bank and NS&I holdings.

Not sure whether this estate is straightforward?

The free suitability checker asks about jurisdiction, disputes and complexity, and tells you in a few minutes whether a self-help route is sensible — or whether you should speak to a solicitor. No account needed.

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