Romanian banks require heir certificate to release deceased's funds

In Romania, banks block the accounts of a person who has died until the heirs present a death certificate and a notarised heir certificate. The certificate, issued by a public notary, confirms the legal heirs and their shares, allowing the bank to unlock the account and transfer the remaining balance.

A related case highlights how inheritance disputes can affect elderly relatives. A pensioner was allegedly forced into a nursing home after family members sought control of her apartment and pension, a conflict that only resolved when a long‑kept document proved her rights. Both stories illustrate the legal steps required to access assets after death and the personal hardships that can arise from family inheritance battles.