It is possible for it to happen. They would have to have a court order to do so.
The executor of the estate has a Letter of Authority that will allow them to close the account.
The account should be presented to the executor of the estate (not just a family member) before payment. That is, unless the deceased paid the bill before dying--then it goes through.
yes that is the legal way of handdling the matter
Once they have their letter of authority, they should be able to access the account. Then they can change the account.
An executor has no legal authority before a person death, nor can such authority be retroactive. If someone held a POA, that person might be able to recover funds that were taken from the account depending upon the circumstances. If the funds were withdrawn without permission of the account holder and signature(s) were forged or a debit card used criminal charges could be forthcoming if a complaint is filed by the deceased's surviving family members.
The estate can earn dividends on a bank account. The executor is responsible for making sure this happens and it gets included in the estate.
Not unless the creditor has a judgment order and executes it as a bank levy.
To endorse a check for a deceased person, you typically need to write "Estate of Deceased Person's Name" on the back of the check and sign your own name as the executor or administrator of the estate. This allows the funds to be deposited into the deceased person's estate account.
The account would have become part of the estate. The executor was issued "Letters Testamentary" when they were appointed by the court. Those letters authorize the executor to withdraw the funds and close the account. Contact the bank to find the department that will assist you in closing the account. It will require certified copies of the letters from the court. The proceeds from the bank account should de distributed according to the provisions in the will.
An executor of the estate does not have the right to "take everything". Rather, the executor has the responsibility to execute the will of the person who died. If the deceased had no will and no immediate relatives, it gets more complicated.
The executor sends a letter to the utility. A copy of their letter of authority is normally enough to satisfy their authority.
The executor of the estate can close and empty the bank account. Distribution will be in accordance with the will. Consult a probate attorney in your state. You have to wait until the will goes through probate.