Manage an estate with Klarna
We understand that if you are reading this, you have most likely lost a loved one. We extend our deepest condolences and want to do our best to ease this difficult time by reducing the administrative burden of settling an estate. We're here to help you with all practical matters related to Klarna — assets, balances, and any outstanding debts. You don't need to worry about open purchases, and of course, you can contact us even if you aren't a Klarna customer yourself.
You don't need to worry about open purchases
As soon as we learn that a customer has passed away, we pause all ongoing payment obligations with Klarna. Installment plans are paused without any new interest or fees, and invoice due dates are suspended. Everything is put on hold until the probate process is finalized — you shouldn't have to pay or stress about due dates during that time.
Klarna personal account
If the deceased had funds in a Klarna personal account, we will securely freeze the balance. Once probate has been completed and we have verified the identity and authority of the rightful heir(s) or authorized representative, we will transfer the funds to their bank account.
Debts and Installment Payments
Any ongoing purchases made with "Pay Later," installment payments, and open invoices belong to the estate — not to you personally. We will immediately pause payments and handle the settlement once the probate process is complete.
Step 1
The early days
It’s a good idea to notify us about the estate as soon as possible so we can assist you in the best way possible and guide you through what comes next as well as secure all accounts and pause payments. You don't need to have all the details ready — we'll take it from there.
Notify us that someone has passed away
Notify us using our web form. You don't need to log in to the Klarna app or know the account details — just start with the name and date of birth of the person who has passed away, and the form guides you through the rest. A case will be opened immediately, and your case manager will email you within three business days with the next steps. You can upload documents through the same form; please send clear photos or scans showing the whole document, including all four corners. You can find more about the documents you may need in the next section.
We pause payments and protect the account as soon as we learn that a customer has passed away. You don't need to worry about upcoming payments with Klarna.
Payments & debts on hold:
All installment plans and invoices are paused. No new interest or fees accrue, and due dates are suspended. Payment obligations stay on hold until the probate process is complete and we settle the debts with the estate.
Any balance is protected:
Any balance in a Klarna account is securely frozen — no withdrawals or transfers can be made, though incoming funds can still be received. It's paid out to the rightful heir(s) once probate is finalized and we've verified the receiving account.
Upon notification, Klarna will:
• Disable new purchases using Klarna as a payment method—both online and in-store
• Block the Klarna card
• Disable app access to protect the account
• Terminate Klarna membership
• Stop marketing and communications
Step 2
The next stage
Because probate and inheritance laws vary by state, each case is reviewed individually by our team. Once we receive your documents, we verify your identity and authority and review the estate details. Payment obligations remain suspended throughout.
What we may need from you
Your case manager will email you within three business days with everything you need. You can upload documents through the web form or reply to your case manager's email. Please send clear photos or scans with the whole document visible, including all four corners — this applies to ID and any other paperwork.
In every case we'll need two things: a certified death certificate (request it from the vital records office of the state where the death occurred — a clear digital copy is fine) and a clear copy of government-issued photo ID for the person managing the estate. If a name or identity doesn't match our records, we may ask for one further document.
If there's a Klarna Personal account
Because a Klarna personal account is a banking product and probate rules vary by state, we may need one or more of the following, depending on your situation: a copy of the will, if one exists; Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (or equivalent) issued by a probate court if you're the executor or administrator of the estate; or a valid Small Estate Affidavit (or equivalent) if the estate qualifies as a small estate under your state's law.
Power of Attorney
If there are multiple beneficiaries or if you have a representative
If one person is to handle all communications with Klarna, we require a written power of attorney signed by all beneficiaries. If an attorney or estate administrator is to represent the estate, we require a power of attorney or other document demonstrating authority — the same requirement for clear scans as for other documents.
Debts belong to the estate
Not to you personally
Any debts with Klarna (installment plans, Pay Later, invoices) are the responsibility of the estate. We do not collect payment from you as an heir. Installment plans and due dates are already paused without accruing interest — this continues until the probate process is complete.
What happens after you send your documents
Once you've submitted your documents, our team reviews them and confirms whether anything else is needed — we'll contact you within three business days of a complete submission.
Because probate law varies by state, our legal team reviews each case; depending on complexity and state law this can take anywhere from a few days to several months, and we'll keep you updated throughout.
Once your documents are complete, we confirm in writing that you're authorized to act for the estate and share a clear overview: Klarna Balance, outstanding debts and installments (still paused — no new charges), and the services already closed.
Step 3
At a later stage
Once the probate process has been finalized and any distribution of the estate has been completed, we will disburse the assets and close all services. You will receive a clear confirmation when there is nothing further to be done.
Payment to the estate
Once our legal team has completed its review and confirmed in writing that you're authorized to act for the estate, Klarna will transfer any remaining Klarna Balance to the rightful heir(s) or authorized representative. If multiple beneficiaries are to share the assets, the distribution of the estate must be documented.
Our case manager will confirm the payout details and timeline directly with you. We aim to transfer funds within seven business days of the legal team's approval.
Debts are settled from the estate
If the estate has assets, debts are settled from those assets. If the estate is insolvent, we write off the remaining debt — we do not seek payment from individual heirs.
All services are being terminated
Cards, app access, subscriptions, and "Pay Later" purchases have already been suspended. We are now permanently closing the accounts and will confirm in writing that everything has been taken care of.
Once we have sent our final confirmation, you do not need to take any further action with Klarna regarding accounts belonging to the deceased.
Contact us
We're here for you and the estate. No login required.
Call customer service
Submit your case via our webform: klarna.com/us/special-circumstances/
Are you dissatisfied after contacting us? If you have already received a response from your case manager or customer service, you can request an impartial review from Klarna's customer ombudsman.
Frequently asked questions
No. Debts belong to the estate, not to you personally. As soon as we are notified, we will pause installment payments and invoices—without charging any new interest or fees—and extend the due dates during the probate process. We will not contact you, as the heir, for debt collection.
No. Once we know that the customer has passed away, we put all payment obligations with Klarna on hold until the probate process is complete. Installment plans are paused, and no interest accrues during this period. You should be able to focus on the estate without worrying about overdue Klarna payments.
The Klarna personal account will be securely frozen. Once probate is finalized and we have verified the identity and authority of the heir(s) or authorized representative, we will transfer the funds to the confirmed bank account.
The timeline depends on the complexity of the estate and applicable state law—probate timelines vary significantly across the US. Once we have received all required documents, we aim to complete our review within five business days. We are committed to keeping you updated throughout.
New purchases are blocked immediately. Items that have already been shipped may be delivered; the cost will be handled by the estate. Payment obligations do not pass to you as an heir.
No. You should be able to complete the entire process without creating an account with us.
In most cases, we need a certified death certificate from the vital records office of the state where the death occurred. If you haven't received it yet—for example, in the case of a death abroad—please contact us via the webform. We will determine whether temporary or other official documentation is sufficient in the interim.
Submit the notification with the information you have—the full name and date of birth are often enough. We'll search our records and get back to you with a complete overview.
We want you to feel that your case has been handled properly. Please contact your assigned case manager via the webform first so that we can assist you immediately. If you have already received a response from us and are still dissatisfied, you can submit your case for review to Klarna's customer ombudsman—they will review the case impartially and get back to you within ten business days.
If the person who passed away had an investment account accessed through the Klarna app, please note that investment services are provided and managed by Alpaca, an independent third-party provider.
Klarna does not have access to or control over investment accounts and cannot process investment-related requests.
If you are the executor, administrator, solicitor, or other legally authorized representative of the estate, you will need to contact Alpaca directly to report the death and start the account review process. Your Klarna case manager will provide you with Alpaca's contact details.
To help Alpaca process your request as quickly as possible, please have the following information and documents ready when you make initial contact:
Full name and account number(s) of the decedent's account
Death certificate or other official record of the account holder's passing
Official documentation confirming beneficiary status or claim to assets (i.e. who is entitled to the assets and how they are to be divided)
Alpaca's accounts team will handle the review, verification, and the transfer or liquidation of the deceased account holder's investments once these requirements are met. All decision-making related to the account is handled exclusively by Alpaca.
Please note that any funds resulting from the transfer or liquidation of investment assets may not be credited to the deceased customer's Klarna Balance.