What to do when a Commerce Bank account holder dies
Contact Commerce Bank's Commerce Trust Company — 5-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
Toll-Free855-295-7821
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 Apr 2026
What happens to Commerce 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 Commerce Bank's Commerce Trust Company (1-800-453-2265) to claim 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
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Commerce Bank:
Filing a claim
1
Notify Commerce Bank by visiting a local branch in person or calling customer service at 1-800-453-2265
2
The bank will freeze individual accounts of the deceased to prevent further transactions until the estate is settled
3
Provide required documentation based on account type:
- For joint accounts with right of survivorship, provide a certified death certificate to have the deceased name removed
- For accounts with POD beneficiary designations, beneficiaries must provide a certified death certificate and valid government-issued photo ID
- For accounts without beneficiary designations, provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
- For trust accounts, the successor trustee must provide the death certificate, trust documentation, and successor trustee identification
- For IRA accounts, beneficiaries must provide a death certificate, valid ID, and complete applicable IRA distribution forms
4
Submit all documents at a Commerce Bank branch or by mail
5
Commerce 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 855-295-7821 (toll-free), or email 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.
1
Notify Commerce Bank of the borrower's death by calling Mortgage Servicing at 800-821-0083:
- Provide the deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number, and loan number
- Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
2
Request the Successor in Interest documentation package from the mortgage servicing department:
- Complete 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)
- Commerce Bank will review your documentation and confirm your status as a Successor in Interest
3
Once confirmed, you will have access to loan information and can discuss options:
- Continue making payments
- Apply for loss mitigation
- Assume the loan
- Refinance
- Pay off the balance
4
Continue 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.
How long the process takes 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. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by Commerce Bank includes 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), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
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 855-295-7821 (toll-free), or email thecommercetrustcompany@commercebank.com.
Commerce Bank does not currently support adding or updating POD beneficiaries through online banking. You must visit a Commerce Bank branch with a valid government-issued photo ID, or call customer service at 1-800-453-2265 to request assistance. All account owners must agree to and sign the beneficiary designation. For IRA beneficiary changes, contact Commerce Financial Advisors or visit a branch.
Commerce Bank freezes individual accounts of the deceased to prevent further transactions until the estate is settled. For joint accounts with right of survivorship, the surviving owner retains access after providing a certified death certificate. For accounts with POD beneficiaries, the beneficiary provides a death certificate and photo ID to claim funds. For accounts without a beneficiary or joint owner, the executor or administrator must provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court. Contact Commerce Bank at 1-800-453-2265 or visit a branch to begin the process.
Notify Commerce Bank Mortgage Servicing at 800-821-0083 and provide a certified death certificate. Request the Successor in Interest documentation package to prove your ownership interest in the property. Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Act, 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 may continue payments, apply for loss mitigation, assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance.
Commerce Bank's Death Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-453-2265 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Commerce Bank accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Commerce Trust Company can clarify what's needed for each account type.
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
Toll-Free855-295-7821
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 Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Commerce Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
