Originally Posted By: Dignan
Originally Posted By: DWallach
I don't have anything particular to add, with respect to breaking into the locked NT account, but I'll note that this sort of thing happens with enough regularity that any reputable business, and that includes PayPal, will have a process for resolving the issue. No doubt, it will require way too much legal documentation, but it's always going to be possible.

When pursuing this sort of thing, you first should regain control of the email account(s) and cell phone number(s). The latter might be recoverable simply by popping the SIM card into a fresh phone. At that point, you've got what you need to "forget" your password on other sites and deal with most common account recovery procedures.

Agreed with all of that. Also, from experience when my father died, you might want to get extra death certificates.
Situation specific, but sometimes, for certain institutions (financial or otherwise) it can be pragmatic to access the accounts (log in) and get things sorted before notifying them that the primary account holder has passed.

Typically as soon as they become aware the entire account typically gets locked out until they receive complete paperwork regarding the executor or whoever is legally authorized to take control. Even then it can be rather limited control. And it can take a long time for that control to become active. Weeks, sometimes months.

For example, a stock market investment or trading account may have active trades in progress. If the account gets locked down before those open positions are sold or otherwise closed out, the stock market can take a turn ‘the wrong way’ and nothing can be done to stem the losses.

Soooo ... log in as the account owner, trigger the actions necessary to close active/open positions and go to cash. Account value will then remain stable while the legal process grinds along.

Even better, have a second person fully authorized on each/every account, long before the demise of the primary account holder. The second person can then log in as themselves, quite separate from the primary.