What to do when a Commerce Bank account holder dies
Contact Commerce Bank's Commerce Trust Company — 9-step process, 9 required documents, and processing times vary based on account type and completeness of documentation. pod claims with complete documentation are typically processed within 5-10 business days. estate claims requiring probate documents may take longer.
Phone1-800-453-2265
Mailing Address
Commerce Bank, 1000 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Spanish-Language Assistance
International / Outside U.S. (collect)
WebsiteLearn more →
Commerce Trust Company
Phone(816) 234-2552
Mailing Address
Commerce Trust Company, 1000 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-800-453-2265
Toll-Free1-800-453-2265
Mailing Address
Contact your local Commerce Bank branch for the appropriate mailing address for estate documents
Verified Mar 2026
When a Commerce Bank account holder 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 Commerce Bank's Commerce Trust Company (1-800-453-2265) to access and distribute the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting Commerce Bank. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Commerce Bank:
Filing a claim
1Notify Commerce Bank by visiting a local branch in person or calling customer service at 1-800-453-2265
2The bank will freeze individual accounts of the deceased to prevent further transactions until the estate is settled
3For joint accounts with right of survivorship, provide a certified death certificate to have the deceased name removed
4For accounts with POD beneficiary designations, beneficiaries must provide a certified death certificate and valid government-issued photo ID
5For accounts without beneficiary designations, provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
6For trust accounts, the successor trustee must provide the death certificate, trust documentation, and successor trustee identification
7For IRA accounts, beneficiaries must provide a death certificate, valid ID, and complete applicable IRA distribution forms
8Submit all documents at a Commerce Bank branch or by mail
9Commerce Bank will review submitted documents and process the claim
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee
- Account information for the deceased (account numbers, if available)
- For accounts without beneficiary: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
- For accounts without beneficiary and small estates: Small Estate Affidavit (state-specific requirements apply)
- For trust accounts: trust agreement or Certification of Trust showing successor trustee provisions
- For trust accounts: successor trustee identification and acceptance documentation
- For IRA accounts: IRA distribution or transfer forms
- Written distribution instructions from the authorized claimant
Commerce Trust Company provides full estate settlement services for clients with trust and wealth management relationships. Commerce Trust handles estate administration including asset valuation, creditor notification, tax filing, and beneficiary distributions. The estate settlement process through Commerce Trust typically takes 6-18 months depending on estate complexity and tax requirements. Contact Commerce Trust at (816) 234-2552 or thecommercetrustcompany@commercebank.com for trust and estate administration services.
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. When a borrower dies, the loan obligation transfers with the property to whoever inherits it. Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Act, the lender cannot accelerate the loan or call it due when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, or the borrower's revocable trust.
1Notify Commerce Bank of the borrower's death by calling Mortgage Servicing at 800-821-0083
2Provide the deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number, and loan number
3Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
4Request the Successor in Interest documentation package from the mortgage servicing department
5Complete and return the Successor in Interest form with supporting documentation proving your ownership interest in the property (e.g., probated will, court order, deed, or trust document)
6Commerce Bank will review your documentation and confirm your status as a Successor in Interest
7Once confirmed, you will have access to loan information and can discuss options: continue making payments, apply for loss mitigation, assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance
8Continue making monthly mortgage payments during the review process to avoid default
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Completed Successor in Interest form (obtained from mortgage servicing department)
- Documentation proving ownership interest in the property: probated will, court order, recorded deed, or trust document showing you as successor trustee or beneficiary
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate)
- Marriage certificate (if surviving spouse)
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3), Commerce Bank cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, relative upon death, or the borrower's revocable living trust. Confirmed Successors in Interest are treated as borrowers under CFPB mortgage servicing rules and are entitled to account information, loss mitigation options, and assumption rights. Mortgage application line: 844-340-2574. Refinance line: 800-903-3210.
Processing timelines at Commerce Bank: Processing times vary based on account type and completeness of documentation. POD claims with complete documentation are typically processed within 5-10 business days. Estate claims requiring probate documents may take longer.. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Commerce Bank requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee, and Account information for the deceased (account numbers, if available), 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
Visit any Commerce Bank branch with valid government-issued photo ID and request to add a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation to your deposit accounts. All account owners must agree to the designation. You can also call 1-800-453-2265 for assistance. Beneficiary changes for IRA accounts may require separate forms through Commerce Financial Advisors.
Commerce Trust Company is the wealth management and trust division of Commerce Bancshares, operating since 1906. It provides professional trust administration, estate settlement, investment management, and financial planning services. Commerce Bank handles standard deposit accounts and consumer banking, while Commerce Trust provides fiduciary services for trusts and estates. Commerce Trust can serve as trustee, executor, or co-trustee and handles full estate administration including asset valuation, creditor claims, tax filings, and beneficiary distributions. Contact Commerce Trust at (816) 234-2552 or thecommercetrustcompany@commercebank.com.
Visit a local Commerce Bank branch in person or call customer service at 1-800-453-2265. Bring or have available the deceased account details and a certified copy of the death certificate. The bank will freeze individual accounts to prevent further transactions until the estate is settled. For joint accounts with right of survivorship, the surviving account holder retains access after the deceased name is removed. The bank may continue to process transactions until properly notified and has had a reasonable opportunity to act.
Processing times vary by account type and documentation completeness. POD claims with complete documentation are typically processed within 5-10 business days. Estates requiring probate may take longer depending on court timelines. Commerce Trust estate settlement services, for clients with wealth management relationships, typically take 6-18 months depending on estate complexity and whether federal or state estate tax returns are required.
Commerce Bank's Death Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-453-2265 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Commerce Bank accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Commerce Trust Company can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone1-800-453-2265
Mailing Address
Commerce Bank, 1000 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Spanish-Language Assistance
International / Outside U.S. (collect)
WebsiteLearn more →
Commerce Trust Company
Phone(816) 234-2552
Mailing Address
Commerce Trust Company, 1000 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-800-453-2265
Toll-Free1-800-453-2265
Mailing Address
Contact your local Commerce Bank branch for the appropriate mailing address for estate documents
Verified Mar 2026
Tools for settling a Commerce Bank estate
Calculators and checklists to help navigate estate settlement after a Commerce Bank account holder passes away.
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