What to do when a Bank of New Hampshire account holder dies
Report the death to Bank of New Hampshire's Customer Service at 1-800-832-0912
When an account holder at Bank of New Hampshire passes away, the next step depends on how the accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with Bank of New Hampshire's Customer Service (1-800-832-0912) to access and distribute the funds.
The claim process can be initiated by phone at 1-800-832-0912 or by sending documentation to customerservice@bnh.bank. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Bank of New Hampshire:
Filing a claim
What happens to each kind of account4
- Joint account with survivorship
When an owner of a joint account with survivorship dies, the balance passes to the owners still living, subject to any pledge the bank agreed to.1
- Joint account without survivorship
Opening a joint account without survivorship does not by itself give the other owners a deceased owner's share.1
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Bank of New Hampshire Wealth Management
Trusts and fiduciary arrangements the bank designs and implements, including corporate trustee services4
Phone: 1-603-527-3371
What Bank of New Hampshire provides to the estate1
What Bank of New Hampshire's agreement and guidance say7
- What it does when notified
The bank may keep paying checks and following instructions until it knows of a death and has had time to act, and may pay checks dated on or before the death for ten days after it unless a claimant tells it to stop.1
- Powers of attorney
An authorized signer loses authority over an individual account when the owner dies, though transactions may still be honored until the bank has notice and time to act.1
- Disputes between claimants
When survivors or beneficiaries make competing claims to an account, the bank may freeze the money until a court rules or the dispute is shown to be settled.1
- Debts owed to the institution
Bank of New Hampshire may use account funds to pay a due debt an owner owes it, but not from an IRA or where the person can withdraw only as a representative.1
- Which state governs the account
Federal law and New Hampshire law govern the account terms.1
- Fees
Closing an IRA plan costs $50 unless the payment is a required minimum distribution, and a garnishment, writ or levy costs $150.2
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
An abandoned account that the bank turns over to the state is charged $75.2
Not in Bank of New Hampshire's published guidance8
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A claim form
- A list of required documents
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
- Which court appointment document it accepts
- An online way to report a death
- How long a claim takes
- A small-estate procedure
Sources5
- 1.Terms and Conditions of Your Account, TC-NH 6/1/2023
- 2.Schedule of Account Fees, March 1, 2026
- 3.Bank of New Hampshire appointments
- 4.Wealth Advice
- 5.Account Services
Bank of New Hampshire's Customer Service can be reached by phone at 1-800-832-0912 and email at customerservice@bnh.bank for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Bank of New Hampshire primary sources (30 pages reviewed). How we research.
Bank of New Hampshire death claims support
Customer Service
Phone
Hours
Office
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Bank of New Hampshire accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Affidavit of Death
Put a joint owner's or a transfer on death deed owner's death on the land records with the affidavit your state's statute names, laid out for recording.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
What Happens to Jointly Owned Property When an Owner Dies?
See what your state records when a joint tenant with right of survivorship dies: an affidavit, the death certificate or a new deed.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
