these bank charges that the heirs discover at the end of the succession

Expenses? Ah… Explicitly, such is the reaction of many heirs when they learn that the bank has levied estate processing fees and other ancillary costs related to the closure of the deceased’s account. How does the bank notify the heirs of these charges? When can we see how they were calculated? Testimonials.

Losing a loved one is a tragedy that is difficult to describe in writing. But the episode can be even more painful when the procedures drag on… In fact, for the family, when it comes to managing the aftermath of a death, that is to say the months necessary for the settlement of the succession, the bank charges are effectively almost invisible. By their amount, very low in the face of funeral costs and notary fees, and in the face of inheritance tax payable to the State if the amounts concerned are lvs.

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The bank charges relating to estate management from a deceased client are not regulated: no ceiling, no official name, and no specific information brochure… apart from the general account conditions given to the client during his lifetime. Clearly, these fees – which the banks justify by procedures that are much longer and more complex than simply closing an account – are taken from the assets of the deceased before the money passes through the notary to then be returned to the heirs. By this very specific schedule, apart from the general conditions, the calculation of the costs is obviously not detailed to the former account holder… and this calculation is only brought to the attention of the heirs at the very end of the succession. .

the receipt of the statement of closure of the deceased’s account

Result: very often, according to testimonies collected by the editorial staff of MoneyVox, the heirs are simply not even aware that the bank has charged fees. MoneyVox also posed the question to its forum users, most of whom are well-informed banking customers. All confirm having been informed at the very end of the succession. I was only able to see the amount of fees collected by the bank when I received the statement for the closure of the deceased’s account, explains Attentif. I didn’t know [le montant de la “dme” de la banque] that the receipt of account statementtestifies Paal.

No contact [avec la banque] when my father died, says Buffeto. The charges appeared on the monthly account statement my mother received. The bank used it directly from the joint account that my parents and I found it expensive, inappropriate and almost dishonest since my parents were married under the universal community regime [rgime matrimonial rassemblant tous les biens acquis avant et pendant le mariage, NDLR].

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In the bundle of documents submitted by the notary

While some receive an account closure statement showing the amounts withdrawn, others can only consult this statement in the bundle of documents submitted by the notary… In the various documents given to us by the notary, there was a copy of a closing statement and the amount of fees applied from the bank, explains FreDd. But no direct bank contact. I even had to follow up with the notary, because the bank was dragging everything out. Fredd is surprised that simply closing a current account without a savings account took 6 to 9 months.

In response to this call for testimonials, some members of the forum who practice or have practiced in banking, however, moderated the remarks by supporting in particular the reality of the exchanges with the notary. And to point out that the inheritance processing costs are indicated in the tariff conditions, which sweeps away any idea of ​​surprise.

In fact, the tariff conditions detail very precisely all the costs related to the succession. Some banks, however, multiply these tariff lines linked to a death (transfer fees, fees for payment of the funeral director’s bill, or other types of bills, etc.), beyond just the estate processing fees. This complicates the task of the uninformed client, and does not help to realize the amount that will be deducted in the event of death.