What to do when a BankUnited account holder dies
Contact BankUnited — 4-step process, 5 required documents, and varies based on account type and documentation; pod claims typically faster than probate
BankUnited Customer Care Center
Phone(877) 779-2265
Mailing Address
BankUnited, N.A., 14817 Oak Lane, Miami Lakes, FL 33016
WebsiteLearn more→
BankUnited Customer Care Center
Phone(877) 779-2265
Mailing Address
BankUnited, N.A., 14817 Oak Lane, Miami Lakes, FL 33016
WebsiteLearn more→
BankUnited Customer Care Center
Phone(877) 779-2265
Mailing Address
BankUnited, N.A., 14817 Oak Lane, Miami Lakes, FL 33016
Verified Apr 2026
What happens to BankUnited 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 BankUnited's BankUnited Customer Care Center ((877) 779-2265) to claim the funds.
To start, call BankUnited at (877) 779-2265. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate ready before you call.
Death claim process
The death claim process at BankUnited works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Notify BankUnited of the account holder's death:
- Call the Customer Care Center at (877) 779-2265 (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM ET, Saturday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET)
- Or visit a local BankUnited branch
2
Provide a certified death certificate
3
Choose the appropriate settlement path based on account type:
- For POD accounts: beneficiary provides death certificate and valid government-issued ID to claim funds
- For joint accounts with survivorship: ownership passes automatically to surviving owner(s)
- For non-POD individual accounts: executor provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- For IRA accounts: beneficiary provides death certificate and completes distribution paperwork
- For trust accounts: provide trust documentation and successor trustee identification
4
Complete any required claim forms provided by the bank
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for beneficiary or authorized representative
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for probate estates)
- Trust documentation and successor trustee ID (if account was held in trust)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if applicable under state law)
Early withdrawal penalties on CDs may be waived upon death of account holder. BankUnited does not publish a dedicated estate settlement or death claims page. Contact the Customer Care Center at (877) 779-2265 (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM ET, Saturday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET) for guidance on the claims process.
How long the process takes at BankUnited: Varies based on account type and documentation; POD claims typically faster than probate. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
BankUnited requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for beneficiary or authorized representative, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for probate estates), 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
If your spouse is named as the beneficiary, the HSA transfers to them and becomes their own HSA. If a non-spouse beneficiary is named, the account ceases to be an HSA as of the date of death and the fair market value becomes taxable income to the beneficiary. Beneficiary designations for an HSA are handled separately from deposit account POD designations.
BankUnited's BankUnited Customer Care Center can be reached by phone at (877) 779-2265 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple BankUnited accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The BankUnited Customer Care Center can clarify what's needed for each account type.
BankUnited Customer Care Center
Phone(877) 779-2265
Mailing Address
BankUnited, N.A., 14817 Oak Lane, Miami Lakes, FL 33016
WebsiteLearn more→
BankUnited Customer Care Center
Phone(877) 779-2265
Mailing Address
BankUnited, N.A., 14817 Oak Lane, Miami Lakes, FL 33016
WebsiteLearn more→
BankUnited Customer Care Center
Phone(877) 779-2265
Mailing Address
BankUnited, N.A., 14817 Oak Lane, Miami Lakes, FL 33016
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your BankUnited accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
