Banking is a business proposition, whether for a business or for individuals. Sentiment isn't a reason to ignore best business practices. I have heard of banks that have allowed a customer to keep using checks on a joint account after the other joint owner has died, probably to avoid the costs of an early reorder. Some have even argued that keeping a deceased co-owner's name on checks is a security measure for the surviving co-owner, but I think that seems like it diminishes the image of the survivor as a competent individual.
The bank's account records should be updated as soon as reasonably possible. Allowing some measure of time for surviving family to grieve, 30 days seems like a reasonable limit.
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John S. Burnett
BankersOnline.com
Fighting for Compliance since 1976
Bankers' Threads User #8