What to do when a Commerce Bank account holder dies
Contact Commerce Bank's Commerce Trust Company — 5-step process, 10 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.
Phone800-641-2265
Mailing Address
Commerce Bank, 1000 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
24-Hour Account Information Line (automated)
Online Banking Customer Support
Mortgage Servicing (existing loans)
Mortgages New Loans and Applications
WebsiteLearn more→
Commerce Trust Company
Phone(816) 234-2822
Toll-Free855-295-7821
Mailing Address
Commerce Trust Company, 1000 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone800-641-2265
Toll-Free800-641-2265
Mailing Address
Contact your local Commerce Bank branch for the appropriate mailing address for estate documents. For mortgage death claims: Commerce Bank Mortgage Corp., 922 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Mailstop: TB11-CM3, Kansas City, MO 64106.
Verified Jul 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 (800-641-2265) 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 800-641-2265
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 small Missouri estates, a small estate affidavit under RSMo 473.097 may substitute for Letters if the estate does not exceed $40,000, at least 30 days have passed since death, and no application for letters or refusal of letters under RSMo 473.090 is pending or granted
- 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 small estates in Missouri: small estate affidavit under RSMo 473.097 (estate not exceeding $40,000, 30 days after death, no pending or granted application for letters or refusal of letters), or a court order granting refusal of letters under RSMo 473.090 to a surviving spouse/unmarried minor children (estate not exceeding exempt property plus the statutory family allowance) or to a creditor (personal estate not exceeding $15,000 with no surviving spouse or minor children)
- For small estates in other states served: Small Estate Affidavit as permitted under that state's law (Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Colorado thresholds and waiting periods vary)
- 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
What to know at this institution
Under the Commerce Bank Deposit Agreement, once the bank is properly notified of an account owner's death it may require anyone claiming a deceased owner's account funds to (1) provide proof of death of the original or joint account owner(s) or listed beneficiaries, (2) verify the identity of any person claiming funds, and (3) indemnify the bank; it may also return government or retirement benefit deposits credited after the date of death, stop paying interest on an individual account effective the date of death, reverse any interest paid after death, and continue charging applicable fees. A POD account is governed by the law of the account's domicile state; Missouri POD accounts are established under Missouri's nonprobate transfers law. If two or more POD beneficiaries survive the last owner they take in equal shares without right of survivorship, and a beneficiary who dies before the owner passes no interest to that beneficiary's heirs or estate. For small Missouri estates, a surviving spouse, unmarried minor children, or creditor may use a small estate affidavit (RSMo 473.097, estate not exceeding $40,000, 30 days after death) or refusal of letters (RSMo 473.090) in place of full probate letters. Commerce Trust Company provides full estate settlement services for clients with trust and wealth management relationships, including asset valuation, creditor notification, tax filing, and beneficiary distributions; the process typically takes 6-18 months depending on estate complexity and tax requirements. Contact Commerce Trust at (816) 234-2822 or 855-295-7821 (toll-free), or email thecommercetrustcompany@commercebank.com.
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)
Claims Contact
Phone: 800-821-0083
Email: ask.cbm@commercebank.com
Commerce Bank Mortgage Corp., 922 Walnut St, Suite 1100, Mailstop: TB11-CM3, Kansas City, MO 64106
What to know at this institution
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 servicing for existing loans: 800-821-0083 (ask.cbm@commercebank.com). Mortgages new loans and applications: 800-903-3210 (mymortgage@commercebank.com).
Prepare your letter of instruction to Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank accepts a claimant-drafted letter of instruction. We draft it for you — addressed to Commerce Bank's verified claims department, with the documents it requires enclosed.
Build your letter of instructionOpening an account for the estate itself
Checks made out to the estate deposit into an account titled to the estate, opened by the appointed executor or administrator under the estate's EIN.
How to open an estate account at Commerce Bank →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) 234-2822 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 800-641-2265 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 800-641-2265 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 800-641-2265 and email at ask.cbm@commercebank.com 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.
Sources
Data sourced from Commerce Bank primary sources (21 pages reviewed). How we research.
Phone800-641-2265
Mailing Address
Commerce Bank, 1000 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
24-Hour Account Information Line (automated)
Online Banking Customer Support
Mortgage Servicing (existing loans)
Mortgages New Loans and Applications
WebsiteLearn more→
Commerce Trust Company
Phone(816) 234-2822
Toll-Free855-295-7821
Mailing Address
Commerce Trust Company, 1000 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone800-641-2265
Toll-Free800-641-2265
Mailing Address
Contact your local Commerce Bank branch for the appropriate mailing address for estate documents. For mortgage death claims: Commerce Bank Mortgage Corp., 922 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Mailstop: TB11-CM3, Kansas City, MO 64106.
Verified Jul 2026
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