How to Open an Estate Bank Account in Kentucky Using an IRS EIN | Kentucky Probate

Short answer

Yes. If you are the personal representative (executor or administrator) appointed by a Kentucky probate court, you can open a separate estate bank account using the estate’s Employer Identification Number (EIN). You generally must first obtain court authority (letters testamentary or letters of administration), request an EIN for the estate from the IRS, and present those documents and a certified death certificate to the bank.

Step-by-step explanation (what you need and why)

Confirm who can act for the estate.

Only the person the court appoints as personal representative has legal authority to collect assets, pay debts, and open an estate bank account. If the decedent left a will, the court issues letters testamentary. If there is no will, the court issues letters of administration. Contact the local Kentucky probate court (county circuit clerk or probate division) to begin the appointment process. For Kentucky probate forms and basic procedures, see the Kentucky Court of Justice probate resources: https://kycourts.gov/Administrative-Resources/Probate/Pages/default.aspx.
Obtain the estate EIN from the IRS.

After the court appoints you, apply for an EIN that belongs to the estate. Use IRS Form SS-4 or the IRS online EIN application. When filling out the form, identify the applicant as the estate of the decedent (for example, “Estate of John Doe, deceased”). The EIN will be used for estate banking and for federal tax filings for estate income (Form 1041) or for other IRS reporting requirements. IRS resources:
- Apply online: https://www.irs.gov/…/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
- Form SS-4 and instructions: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf
- Estates & trusts overview: https://www.irs.gov/…/estates-trusts
Gather required documents for the bank.

Most financial institutions require the following to open an estate account:
- Certified copy of the personal representative’s letters testamentary or letters of administration (issued by the probate court).
- Certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate.
- EIN confirmation from the IRS (the CP 575 notice or other IRS EIN letter) or the SS-4 confirmation.
- Personal ID for the personal representative (driver’s license, passport).
- Copy of the will (if applicable) and any relevant court order the bank requests.
Call the bank first to confirm their exact requirements. Some banks require a certified or court-sealed copy of the letters; others accept a court-stamped photocopy.
Open an estate account—use it for estate business only.

Open a dedicated estate checking (and, if needed, savings) account in the name of the estate (e.g., “Estate of Jane Doe, by John Doe, Personal Representative”). Use the estate EIN for the account—not the decedent’s Social Security number—for estate income or ongoing financial activity after death. Keep estate funds separate from your personal accounts. Pay estate expenses, creditor claims, taxes, and administrative costs from the estate account. Maintain clear, dated records and retain bank statements and receipts.
Use the account for required tax filings and distributions.

If the estate earns income after death (for example, interest, dividends, or rental income), the estate may need to file Form 1041 (U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts) using the estate EIN. Final individual income tax returns for the decedent use the decedent’s SSN and cover income up to the date of death. See IRS Form 1041 information: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1041.

Bank behavior and common bank requirements in Kentucky

Banks vary in policy. Expect some banks to require a certified copy of court letters or a court-stamped will. Some banks will accept the original EIN confirmation letter; others accept a printout from the IRS online EIN application confirmation. If a bank resists opening the account, ask to speak to a branch manager or consider checking with another bank or credit union.

Kentucky-specific notes

Probate procedures and appointment of personal representatives are handled at the county level in Kentucky. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides local probate information and forms: https://kycourts.gov/Administrative-Resources/Probate/Pages/default.aspx.
Use the probate court to get certified letters (the legal paper banks rely on). Without court letters, most banks will not accept your authority to manage estate funds.
Keep estate funds in a separate account until you receive court permission to distribute assets to beneficiaries.

When you might not need probate or an estate account

Not every asset goes through probate. Joint accounts with right of survivorship, payable-on-death designations, life insurance with named beneficiaries, and some small-asset procedures can avoid probate. If the decedent’s estate is small and assets already pass directly to survivors, you may not need to open a formal estate account. Check with the county probate office for available simplified procedures in Kentucky.

Record-keeping and fiduciary duties

As personal representative you owe fiduciary duties to the estate and the beneficiaries. That means you must act in the estate’s best interest, avoid mixing personal and estate funds, keep accurate records, and provide accountings when required by the court or beneficiaries. Save bank statements, receipts, invoices, and a simple ledger showing deposits and disbursements.

Helpful hints

Call the probate clerk before filing: they can explain what documents you need to get appointed and to obtain certified letters.
Call the bank first and ask for the estate-account checklist so you bring exactly what the branch needs in one visit.
Apply for the EIN after you are appointed, not before. Banks usually want the EIN letter that confirms the number belongs to the estate.
Keep estate funds separate, even if you expect a quick distribution. Commingling makes accounting harder and can lead to challenges from beneficiaries or the court.
Keep copies of everything you submit to the court and the bank; get certified copies of court-issued letters for multiple institutions if the estate holds accounts at more than one bank.
If a bank refuses to open an estate account despite proper documentation, ask for a written explanation and consider another bank or contacting the county probate clerk for guidance.
Consider basic accounting software or a spreadsheet to track inflows and outflows for the estate—this simplifies tax filings and final accounting to beneficiaries.