What to do when a First American Bank (New Mexico) account holder dies
Report the death to First American Bank (New Mexico) at 1-800-289-6140
When an account holder at First American Bank (New Mexico) 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 First American Bank (New Mexico)'s Trust & Wealth Management 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 First American Bank (New Mexico).
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what First American Bank (New Mexico) requires:
Filing a claim
State law on paying a balance without lettersNew Mexico, Texas
- New Mexico
NMSA 1978 § 58-1-8
New Mexico law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on proof the institution accepts, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.NMSA 1978 § 58-1-8Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $2,000 held at the institution
Paid to: the surviving spouse; the surviving next of kin, of the closest degree of lineal consanguinity (in that order)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
- Texas
Tex. Est. Code § 152.051
Texas law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an order of the court, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Tex. Est. Code § 152.051Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: a funeral home or the applicant, for funeral and burial expenses
Limit: $5,000 in total from every holder
When: the application may be filed "not earlier than the third day after the date of the decedent's death and not later than nine months after the date of the decedent's death"
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- First American Bank Trust & Wealth Management
Serving as trustee or conservator and handling the administration of a decedent's estate1, 2
What First American Bank (New Mexico)'s agreement and guidance say1
- Online access
Accounts held by a fiduciary, such as an estate or trust account, cannot use Snap Deposit, the bank's mobile check deposit.3
Not in First American Bank (New Mexico)'s published guidance9
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A claim form
- A list of required documents
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
- An online way to report a death
- Which court appointment document it accepts
- A small-estate procedure
- How long a claim takes
- Terms in its agreements for a customer's death
First American Bank (New Mexico)'s Trust & Wealth Management can be reached by email at wealthmanagement@firstamb.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
(2)·
Data sourced from First American Bank (New Mexico) primary sources (22 pages reviewed). How we research.
First American Bank (New Mexico) death claims support
Customer Care
Phone
After hours
FIRSTLine Banking (24-hour telephone banking)
Debit Card Activation
Lost or Stolen Debit Card
Debit Card Disputes
Debit Card Fraud
Office
Mailing address
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your First American Bank (New Mexico) 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: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for your state.
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 taxes. Run each tool for your state.
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A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
