When one person dies, a joint bank account in England and Wales almost always passes straight to the surviving account holder, outside the will and without probate. The account is not usually frozen, and the survivor keeps day-to-day access. The catch is inheritance tax: the deceased's share of the balance can still count as part of their estate, even though the money never passes through it.
Does the money pass automatically to the surviving account holder?
Yes. In almost all cases a joint bank account passes to the surviving holder by the right of survivorship, so the whole balance becomes theirs automatically. It does not pass under the deceased's will, it is not controlled by the executors, and the surviving holder does not need a grant of probate to use it.
This applies however many people held the account. If three people held it and one dies, the two survivors keep it jointly. The rule decides who can access the money, not always who ultimately benefits from it.
Is a joint bank account frozen when one person dies?
Usually no. Because a surviving holder still owns the account, the bank normally keeps it open and running, so cards, direct debits and standing orders continue. This is the key difference from a sole account, which is frozen until the executors deal with it. A bank may briefly restrict a large or disputed balance while it checks the position.
Does a joint bank account go through probate?
The account itself does not. Money that passes by survivorship falls outside the estate that probate deals with, so the survivor does not wait for a grant to reach it. Probate may still be needed for the rest of the estate, such as a sole account, a home, or investments held only in the deceased's name.
For a fuller picture of when a grant is required, see our guide to what probate is and when you need it.
Do you pay inheritance tax on a joint bank account?
Possibly. Passing by survivorship keeps the account out of probate, but it does not make it free of inheritance tax. HMRC still counts the deceased's share of the balance as part of their estate. The amount is based on how much each holder contributed, not an automatic half, and unequal contributions are looked at closely where the survivor is not a spouse (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change).
What happens next turns on the relationship. If the survivor is the deceased's spouse or civil partner, the deceased's share is normally covered by the spouse exemption, so there is usually no inheritance tax on it. If the survivor is anyone else, that share is added to the estate and tested against the £325,000 nil-rate band, which is frozen until 5 April 2031 (gov.uk, Budget 2025, as at August 2026, subject to change).
A worked example (illustration only). A joint current account holds £40,000, and both holders paid in roughly equally, so the deceased's share is treated as about £20,000.
| Who the survivor is | Who gets the money | Is the £20,000 share in the estate for IHT? | Likely tax on that share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse or civil partner | Survivor, by survivorship | Yes, but covered by the spouse exemption | Usually none |
| Adult child, sibling or friend | Survivor, by survivorship | Yes, added to the estate | Depends on the whole estate against the £325,000 band; 40% on any excess |
Illustration only, based on gov.uk/inheritance-tax, as at August 2026. Every estate is different and figures are subject to change. Our inheritance tax guide explains the bands in full.
Joint tenants or tenants in common: does it change things?
Most joint bank accounts are held as joint tenants, which is what makes survivorship apply. Holders can instead record the account as tenants in common, usually through a declaration of trust, so each owns a fixed share that passes under their will rather than to the survivor. The table below sets out the difference.
| Joint tenants (the default) | Tenants in common | |
|---|---|---|
| On death, the deceased's share | Passes to the survivor automatically | Passes under the will or intestacy rules |
| Controlled by the will? | No | Yes |
| Goes through probate? | No | Yes, as part of the estate |
| Counts for inheritance tax? | Yes, the deceased's share | Yes, the deceased's share |
How do you transfer a joint account into your sole name?
Because the account passes by survivorship, the surviving holder keeps access throughout, so moving it into your sole name is an administrative step rather than a race. In most cases you tell the bank the other holder has died, provide a death certificate, and the bank removes the deceased's name and converts the account into your sole name, keeping the same details where possible.
- Tell the bank the holder has died. Most banks have a dedicated bereavement team you can call or notify online.
- Provide a death certificate. The bank will ask for the original or a certified copy, and may ask you to confirm your identity as the surviving holder.
- Let the bank update the account. It removes the deceased's name and converts the account into your sole name, keeping the same details where possible.
- Check direct debits and joint arrangements. Standing orders usually continue, but review any that were tied to the person who died, such as their pension credits or subscriptions.
What happens to an overdraft or debts on the account?
A joint account is jointly and severally liable, so the surviving holder becomes responsible for the full balance owed, not just half. An overdraft does not disappear on death, and the bank can look to the survivor to repay it. If you expect a shortfall, it is worth speaking to the bank early.
Frequently asked questions
Does a joint bank account freeze when one person dies?
Usually not. Because the surviving holder still owns the account, the bank normally keeps it open and the survivor keeps access to cards, direct debits and standing orders. This differs from a sole account, which is frozen until the executors deal with the estate.
Who gets the money in a joint account when someone dies?
In almost all cases the surviving account holder gets the whole balance automatically, by the right of survivorship, and it does not pass under the deceased's will. The exception is where the account was held as tenants in common, which is uncommon for bank accounts, in which case the deceased's share passes under their will instead.
Do you pay inheritance tax on a joint bank account?
You may. Although the money passes outside the will, HMRC still counts the deceased's share of the balance as part of their estate, based on how much each holder contributed. If the survivor is a spouse or civil partner, that share is normally covered by the spouse exemption. If the survivor is anyone else, it is added to the estate and tested against the £325,000 nil-rate band (gov.uk, as at August 2026, subject to change).
Does a joint bank account go through probate?
The account itself does not, because money passing by survivorship falls outside the estate that probate deals with, so the survivor can use it without waiting for a grant. Probate may still be needed for other assets held only in the deceased's name, such as a sole account or a property.
What documents does the bank need after a joint account holder dies?
Most banks ask for a death certificate, either the original or a certified copy, and may ask the surviving holder to confirm their identity. Once the bank has these, it removes the deceased's name and puts the account into the survivor's sole name. A grant of probate is not usually required for the joint account.
Is half of a joint account always counted for inheritance tax?
No. HMRC values the deceased's share by how much each holder actually contributed, not an automatic half. Where holders paid in equally, roughly half may be the result, but unequal contributions are looked at closely, especially where the survivor is not a spouse or civil partner.