[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, there are three pathways to withdraw funds based on the deposit amount and the disputes involved: 1. For small deposits (the current simplified withdrawal limit is 50,000 yuan, with slight differences in implementation across different banks), applicants can directly go to the bank with a death certificate, proof of kinship, and an affidavit. 2. For larger amounts or where the bank requires additional documentation, applicants must first obtain a notarized certificate of inheritance and then withdraw the funds with the notarized certificate. 3. In cases of inheritance disputes, applicants can withdraw the funds after obtaining a court ruling. For deposit balance inquiries, applicants only need to provide a death certificate and proof of kinship, without needing to obtain a notarized certificate first.

1. Problem background and typical scenarios

After the elderly person passes away, the most common sticking point for family members is the bank deposits: they don't know the password, and the bank says "the money can't be withdrawn casually without the person present"; when going to the notary office, they are told to gather all the materials of the heirs, and if some heirs are abroad, it may take months to collect the materials; what's even more embarrassing is that they don't even know what deposits the elderly person had, so they have to check each bank card one by one. The process itself is not difficult, but the hard part is choosing the right path, preparing all the materials, and dealing with the contingency plan for potential disputes.

II. Key points of contention

First, simplify the applicable boundaries of extraction: amount limit, responsibility of the letter of commitment, and bank review standards. Second, handle the notarization of inheritance rights: list of materials and requirements for all heirs to cooperate. Third, separate undisputed and disputed cases: backup path for retrieving litigation documents. Fourth, extend to other assets: differences in retrieving financial assets, provident funds, and insurance premiums.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Law Firm

Path One: Simplified Small-Amount Withdrawal: To address the public concern about "unable to withdraw small-amount deposits," regulators allow the spouse, parents, and children of the deceased depositor to withdraw and transfer funds within the limit with a death certificate, materials proving kinship (such as household registration books, marriage certificates, birth certificates), and their own valid ID cards, after signing an undertaking letter. The current limit is 50,000 yuan (specific limits vary by bank). No inheritance certificate is required for withdrawals within the limit. The legal significance of the undertaking letter must be clarified: the signatory promises to be a legal heir, truthfully declare the withdrawal matters, and bear legal responsibility if untruthful. This balances efficiency and risk. While the simplified channel is convenient, it means signatories must be responsible for the authenticity of their "legal heir status." If there are multiple heirs with undecided distribution, avoid withdrawing alone first—agree on shares before proceeding. Path Two: Inheritance Certification: For amounts exceeding the simplified limit or where banks require it, obtain an inheritance certificate from a notary office and withdraw funds with the certificate. Notarization materials include: death certificate, kinship proof (e.g., personnel file's kinship registration form, police station certificates), property proof (deposit slips, bank cards, account information), and all heirs' identity proof and attendance confirmation—heirs' presence or certified waiver statements are crucial. For overseas or mobility-impaired heirs, arrange notarization via video (subject to notary office requirements). Notarization fees are proportional to the beneficiary amount, and high-value deposits incur significant costs—plan ahead. Path Three: Litigation Backup: For disputes over deposit ownership, initiate inheritance litigation. After court verification, withdraw funds with the effective judgment or mediation document. Avoid wasting time on notarization for disputes. While litigation is slower, it comprehensively resolves ownership and withdrawal issues. Preliminary action: Deposit inquiry: With death certificate and kinship proof, immediate family can query the deceased's account balance and changes (through exemption-certified channels). This is often overlooked—first clarify family assets (bank deposits, wealth management products, fixed-term deposits) before choosing a path. Manually checking each line of the deceased's bank card is time-consuming but effective if ID documents are complete. Asset-specific notes: - Bank wealth management products: Unmatured products follow issuer rules and typically require inheritance certificates. - Provident Fund: Apply for one-time withdrawal with death certificate and kinship proof. - Insurance benefits: Designated beneficiaries receive direct payouts (not estate), otherwise handled as inheritance. - Social security personal account balances and funeral pensions follow social security agency procedures. Family guidance: - First inventory assets (inquiry), then choose path (simplified, notarization, litigation), then withdraw. - For multiple heirs, prioritize distribution agreements (even simple written agreements) before withdrawing to avoid post-withdrawal disputes.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

The first step is to check the account balance and withdraw the funds after verification: Clear the balances of all banks with the death certificate and proof of kinship. The second step is to simplify the withdrawal of small amounts: Withdraw funds up to 50,000 yuan within the limit and obtain a power of attorney before signing the commitment letter. The third step is to obtain a notarized certificate for large amounts: All heirs cooperate to obtain a notarized certificate of inheritance rights, and overseas heirs arrange for a power of attorney or video notarization in advance. The fourth step is to resolve disputes through litigation: Withdraw funds based on the effective judgment document and determine the ownership in a comprehensive manner. Main legal basis: Articles 1121 to 1123 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (the commencement and handling of inheritance), the Regulations on Savings Management regarding the transfer and payment of deposits after the depositor's death, and the requirements of the regulatory authorities for simplifying the withdrawal of small amounts of the deceased's deposits. Specific application shall be subject to the current regulations.

5. Henglue Law Firm's Reminder

There are three steps to withdraw deposits: first, check the beneficiary's assets; second, handle small-amount withdrawals simply; third, handle large-amount withdrawals through notarization. If there are disputes, the case will be directly handled by the court. The promise letter should not be signed casually. Before signing it, clarify the beneficiary's assets. The most time-consuming part of notarization is dealing with uncooperative beneficiaries overseas. Start preparing the materials two months in advance. For matters involving deposit inheritance and notarization documents, you can consult the following channels for assistance:Inheritance of property and division of family assetsYou can refer to it when dealing with inheritance disputes, as it provides a comprehensive solution for the service.Creditor's rights and debts, and enforcement casesFor reference, please refer to the section on document authentication for overseas heirs and cross-border fund transfers\nFinancial capital and cross-border transactions involving foreign entities.The plate, which involves the combination of insurance payouts and financial management withdrawals, can be integratedSpecialised legal servicesFor plates involving family distribution agreements, you can refer to the following for referenceDivorce litigation and family disputesPlate consultation.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: If I don't know the password, can I withdraw the deceased person's savings?

Yes. With a death certificate, a proof of kinship, and the applicant's ID card, the withdrawal can be processed through three channels: simplified withdrawal (within the limit), inheritance notarization, or court documents. A password is not a necessary requirement.

Q2: What is the limit for simplified withdrawal of small-amount deposits?

The current simplified withdrawal limit is 50,000 yuan (the implementation guidelines of various banks may vary slightly). Within this limit, you can handle the withdrawal by providing a death certificate, a proof of kinship, and an undertaking letter, without the need for a notarization of the right of inheritance.

Q3: Can you check what deposits there are under the name of the deceased person?

Yes. Immediate family members can inquire about the deceased depositor's account balance and transaction history from the bank by presenting a death certificate and a proof of kinship. There's no need to obtain an inheritance notarization first for this inquiry.

Q4: What should I do if the heir is not in the country and I need to handle the notarization?

You can handle a power of attorney certified by the embassy or consulate, entrusting domestic relatives or lawyers to handle it on your behalf, or make the relevant declarations via remote video as required by the notary office. It is recommended to reserve one to two months for the preparation of materials in advance.

Q5: If there is a dispute over the distribution of deposits among heirs, can they still withdraw the money?

It's difficult for an individual to withdraw the funds unilaterally. It is recommended to initiate a lawsuit for inheritance disputes, and then withdraw the funds based on the effective judgment or mediation agreement issued by the court. The lawsuit can determine the ownership and shares of the funds in a comprehensive manner.

The above content is based on the judicial practices in the Beijing area. The facts of individual cases and the jurisdiction of the court may affect the conclusions. Welcome to consult Henglue Law Firm for specific cases.

If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Legal services for inheritance·Beijing Henglu Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current laws and regulations and public adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. If a dispute arises, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.