What to do when an Arvest account holder dies
Report the death to Arvest Contact Center at 1-855-316-5232
After an account holder at Arvest dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact Arvest Contact Center at 1-855-316-5232 with the proper legal authority documents.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Arvest requires:
Filing a claim
- For a single-owner CD or IRA where you are the beneficiary, call the Arvest Contact Center at (855) 316-5232 to hear the disbursement options
- For rollover options as the beneficiary of a single-owner IRA, email the Wealth Management Solutions Center at AWMSolutionsCenter@arvest.com
- For trust accounts and estate settlement, contact Arvest Wealth Management at (888) 916-2121
- Payable-on-death account: each beneficiary brings the death certificate and government-issued photo ID
- Joint account with survivorship: the death certificate, to update the ownership
- Individual account with no payable-on-death beneficiary: Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or the Small Estate Claim Affidavit for the decedent's state
- Trust account: a full copy of the trust, or at least the first page, the Successor Trustee page and the signature pages, plus the successor trustee's identification
- A copy of the death certificate for each account
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Every named payable-on-death beneficiary, in person: Arvest asks that all of them be present when the account is closed
- The death certificate
- Supporting legal documents: Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or the Small Estate Claim Affidavit
- A copy of your government-issued photo ID
- A cover letter with the deceased account holder's name, the account numbers and your contact information
Required Documents
- Death certificateArvest's checklist says "each financial account will need a copy." Copies come from the county clerk or the funeral home.
- Government-issued photo ID, for each payable-on-death beneficiary or authorized representative
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, for a probate estate
- Small Estate Claim Affidavit for the decedent's state, for a small estateArvest supplies the form for Kansas and Oklahoma; for Arkansas and Missouri it comes from the state.
- Full copy of the trust, or its first page, Successor Trustee page and signature pages, for trust-titled accounts
- Successor trustee identification, for trust-titled accounts
- Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the estate, to open an estate accountArvest requires an EIN for that account type.
Forms Arvest issues1
- Small Estate Claim Affidavit (Kansas and Oklahoma)
Sent by the institution on request.1
What happens to each kind of account3
- Payable-on-death account
The account transfers automatically to the payable-on-death beneficiaries on the death of all owners and joint owners. Arvest says a POD designation means "You can avoid having to complete a Small Estate Claim Affidavit to transfer your account assets."1
Arvest asks that all payable-on-death beneficiaries be present at the bank when the account is closed. Each brings a copy of the death certificate and government-issued photo ID.1
- Joint account with survivorship
Ownership passes to the surviving owners. The death certificate is used to update the ownership.1
- Account in one name
For an individual account with no payable-on-death beneficiary and no joint owner, Arvest needs Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or the Small Estate Claim Affidavit for the decedent's state.1
State requirements Arvest statesArkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma
- Arkansas
For an Arkansas small estate, the form comes from the state of Arkansas. It names a personal representative, lists all accounts, safe deposit boxes and heirs, and is filed in county court.1
- Kansas
For a Kansas small estate where no one represents the estate through Letters, an Arvest associate supplies the form, and the completed form is submitted back to Arvest Bank.1
- Missouri
For a Missouri small estate where no one represents the estate, the form comes from the state of Missouri and is filed with the state.1
- Oklahoma
For an Oklahoma small estate where no one represents the estate, an Arvest associate supplies the form, and the completed form is submitted back to Arvest.1
Accounts handled elsewhere2
- Arvest Wealth Management
Trust accounts and estate settlement1
Phone: 1-888-916-2121
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM CT; Saturday 9:00 AM-1:00 PM CT
- Arvest Wealth Management Solutions Center
Rollover options for the beneficiary of a single-owner IRA1
Help Arvest offers survivors1
- Arvest Wealth Management Estate Settlement
A trained, impartial team handles full administration of an estate: locating documents, valuing and safeguarding assets, tax coordination, paying the estate's claims and debts, accounting to beneficiaries and impartial dispute resolution.2
What Arvest's agreement and guidance say4
- Wills, probate and small estates
Arvest says "we can't accept a will as proof of your beneficiaries and can't release funds without a Small Estate Claim Affidavit or Letters of Testamentary or Administration."1
- Deposits after the death
Arvest says it "must return any government benefits (such as SS, SSI, SSA, VA, Railroad, etc.) paid to your loved one on or after the date of their death." It monitors the account and releases no funds to a payable-on-death beneficiary until those payments have been reclaimed.1
- Fees
Account research, account reconciliation and verification of deposit are free. A duplicate monthly statement is $10.00 per month and a stop payment order is $30.00.3
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
The Dormant Account Fee is $5.00 per month. A checking account goes dormant after 365 days with no deposit or withdrawal, and a money market or savings account after 730 days.3
The fee is charged monthly "until the account is reactivated, the balance reaches or falls below zero, or is remitted to the appropriate state as unclaimed property." A $10,000 balance or one transaction a year avoids it.3
Sources3
- 1.Death of a Loved One Checklist
- 2.Estate Settlement
- 3.Personal fee schedule, effective January 1, 2025
Mortgage and home lending
Mortgages and home equity loans are liabilities, not assets. They do not have beneficiaries and cannot be retitled to a trust.
- Give the deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number and loan number
- Loan balance and status information is also available 24/7 through the automated voice response line on the same number
- Provide documentation proving your ownership interest: a probated will, court order, recorded deed, or trust document naming you as successor trustee or beneficiary
- Continue making payments
- Apply for loan assumption
- Refinance
- Pay off the balance
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Documentation proving an ownership interest in the propertyA probated will, court order, recorded deed, or trust document.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if the estate is in probate
- Marriage certificate, for a surviving spouse
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-366-2132
Automated loan information: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Fax: 1-501-716-5763
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-7:00 PM CT; Saturday 8:00 AM-2:00 PM CT
Mailing address: Arvest Bank - Mortgage Servicing, 500 Broadway Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
Federal law on calling a home loan after a death
These exemptions apply to a loan secured by residential real property containing less than five dwelling units.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d); 12 CFR 191.5(b), 141.14Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(3); 12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(iii)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(5)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become an owner of the property.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(6)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
A federal regulation sets further conditions on these transfers.12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(v)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Arvest Contact Center can be reached by phone at 1-855-316-5232 and email at awmsolutionscenter@arvest.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Arvest primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
Arvest death claims support
Arvest Contact Center
Phone
General Customer Service
Arvest Wealth Management (trust accounts, estate settlement)
Mortgage Servicing (deceased borrower)
Mailing address
Website
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