What Happens to Your PayPal Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Deadline
None — claim anytime
Difficulty
Moderate
Documents
Death cert + probate
Step-by-Step Guide
Document your PayPal email
Record the email address linked to your PayPal account. Your executor needs this to contact PayPal.
Estimated time: 2 min
Note your account balance
Check your PayPal balance and record it. Include any pending payments or holds.
Estimated time: 5 min
List recurring payments
Go to Settings → Payments → Manage automatic payments. List all active subscriptions so your executor can cancel them.
Estimated time: 10 min
Executor contacts PayPal
Your executor calls PayPal (1-888-221-1161) with Death Certificate and Grant of Probate to claim the balance and close the account.
Document Now Checklist
- PayPal email address
- Current account balance
- List of recurring payments
- Linked bank account details
Save this to your vault
When you document your accounts in Passed Plan, your family gets a personalized action plan — with only the guides that apply to them, in the right order, with your notes attached.
Start your vault — free for 30 daysLast verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with PayPal. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Related Guides
Venmo
Venmo balance is an estate asset. Family cannot access the social feed or transaction history directly.
Cash App
If you hold Bitcoin in Cash App, document this separately — crypto recovery requires additional steps.
Chase Bank
Document every checking, savings, CD, and credit card account number. Include joint vs individual status.
Protect your PayPal account — and all your others
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