What to do when a Ameris Bank account holder dies
Contact Ameris Bank's Argent Financial Group - Trust & Estate Services — 6-step process, 6 required documents, and varies based on account type, documentation completeness, and whether probate is required. pod beneficiary claims are typically processed faster than probated estates.
Customer Service Center
Phone1-866-616-6020
Mailing Address
Ameris Bank, P.O. Box 105075, Atlanta, GA 30348
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service Center (Death Notifications)
Phone1-866-616-6020
Mailing Address
Ameris Bank, P.O. Box 105075, Atlanta, GA 30348
Mortgage Servicing (Dovenmuehle)
Lost/Stolen Debit Cards
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
What happens to Ameris Bank accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Ameris Bank's Argent Financial Group - Trust & Estate Services (1-866-616-6020) to claim the funds.
Ameris Bank provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Ameris Bank works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Notify Ameris Bank of the death by calling 1-866-616-6020 or visiting a local branch
2
Provide required documentation:
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID
3
Ameris Bank will verify your authority and relationship to the deceased
4
Choose the appropriate settlement path:
- POD beneficiary: claim funds by providing the death certificate and ID
- Trust account: successor trustee takes control by providing the trust agreement and death certificate
- Probate: provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the court
- Small estate: a Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted if the estate qualifies under state law
5
Complete and return any required distribution forms provided by Ameris Bank
6
Funds are distributed per instructions after document review and approval
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate required)
- Trust agreement (if account held in trust)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under state law)
- Proof of relationship to the deceased
For mortgage-related death claims, contact Ameris Bank mortgage servicing (Dovenmuehle Mortgage) at 1-855-249-8131 (Monday-Friday 9 AM to 6 PM ET). Mortgage payment mailing address: Ameris Bank/Dovenmuehle Mortgage Inc., P.O. Box 660592, Dallas, TX 75266-0592. Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), the lender cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, or relative of the deceased borrower, or to the borrower's revocable living trust. Ameris Bank's wealth management services (trust and estate administration) are now provided through Argent Financial Group.
Processing timelines at Ameris Bank: Varies based on account type, documentation completeness, and whether probate is required. POD beneficiary claims are typically processed faster than probated estates. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Ameris Bank requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for the claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate required), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Contact Ameris Bank by calling 1-866-616-6020 or visit a local branch. You will need to provide a certified death certificate, your government-issued ID, your relationship to the deceased, and the deceased's account information. For mortgage-related death claims, contact Ameris Bank mortgage servicing (Dovenmuehle Mortgage) at 1-855-249-8131 (Monday-Friday 9 AM to 6 PM ET).
Yes. Ameris Bank allows Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary designations on personal checking, savings, CD, and money market accounts. Visit an Ameris Bank branch with government-issued photo ID or call 1-866-616-6020 to request a POD beneficiary designation. You will need to provide each beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, Social Security Number, and relationship to you.
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), the lender cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, or relative of the deceased borrower, or to the borrower's revocable living trust. For mortgage-related death claims, contact Ameris Bank mortgage servicing (Dovenmuehle Mortgage) at 1-855-249-8131 (Monday-Friday 9 AM to 6 PM ET).
Ameris Bank's Customer Service Center (Death Notifications) can be reached by phone at 1-866-616-6020 and email at callcenter@amerisbank.com for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Ameris Bank accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Argent Financial Group - Trust & Estate Services can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Customer Service Center
Phone1-866-616-6020
Mailing Address
Ameris Bank, P.O. Box 105075, Atlanta, GA 30348
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service Center (Death Notifications)
Phone1-866-616-6020
Mailing Address
Ameris Bank, P.O. Box 105075, Atlanta, GA 30348
Mortgage Servicing (Dovenmuehle)
Lost/Stolen Debit Cards
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
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