Bank Account Frozen After Death in France: How to Access Funds

The Automatic Freeze

The moment a French bank receives formal notification of a customer's death, every individual account is frozen — checking, savings, Livret A, investment portfolios, everything. All standing orders and direct debits stop. All powers of attorney and procurations are immediately revoked.

This freeze isn't optional or negotiable. It's a legal requirement designed to protect the estate from unauthorized withdrawals until heirs are formally identified.

The freeze stays in place until the estate is formally settled. For simple estates, this takes 2-4 months. For complex estates involving real property or multiple heirs, it can take 6-12 months.

The €5,965 Funeral Exception

French law carves out one critical exception to the total freeze. Under Article L312-1-4 of the Monetary and Financial Code, banks must release up to €5,965 from the deceased's individual accounts to pay for funeral expenses — provided sufficient funds were available on the date of death.

To access this, bring the bank:

• The original acte de décès (certified copy)
• The funeral director's itemized invoice
• Your identification and proof of relationship

The bank pays the funeral home directly. The money doesn't pass through the family's hands. If the funeral costs less than €5,965, only the invoiced amount is released.

Joint Accounts: It Depends on the Registration

French joint accounts come in two forms, and the distinction matters enormously:

"Monsieur ou Madame" (either/or): The surviving account holder retains full access. The account continues to function normally. However, the deceased's share of the funds (typically 50%) is calculated and included in the estate for inheritance tax purposes.

"Monsieur et Madame" (joint and several): Less common but more restrictive. Both signatures may have been required for certain operations. On death, the bank may partially freeze the account pending clarification of each party's share.

In practice, most French joint accounts are "ou" accounts, meaning the survivor keeps access. But the bank will still want to see the acte de décès and may restrict large withdrawals pending estate settlement.

Unfreezing Individual Accounts

Individual accounts are fully unfrozen only when the estate settlement is complete. The process depends on the estate's size:

Estates under €5,965 (no property, no will): The heirs can bypass the notaire entirely. All heirs sign a joint declaration (attestation signée par l'ensemble des héritiers), present it with the acte de décès and their identification, and the bank releases the remaining funds directly.

Estates of €5,965 or more (or with property/will): A notaire must issue an acte de notoriété (heirship certificate) identifying all legal heirs and their shares. The bank releases funds only on the notaire's instruction, typically after the inheritance tax return is filed.

Bank Fees for Estate Processing

French banks charge administrative fees for processing estate files, but these are legally capped:

• Maximum: 1% of the total assets held, up to €850
• Exemption: Complete fee waiver for estates under €5,910

Some banks also charge for issuing statements of the account balance on the date of death — typically €30-50 per account. The notaire needs these statements to file the déclaration de succession.

What to Do About Ongoing Bills

The freeze can create a cash-flow crisis. Rent, utilities, insurance premiums, and mortgage payments tied to the deceased's individual account all stop when the account is frozen.

For utilities and services, contact each provider with a copy of the acte de décès to terminate or transfer contracts. Landlords must be notified in writing. For unfurnished rentals, the lease terminates automatically on the date of death — but the heirs owe an occupancy indemnity for every day furniture remains in the property.

The Someone Died in France: English Speaker's Emergency Guide includes a bank notification template and a step-by-step guide to accessing frozen funds.

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