What to do when a First Foundation account holder dies
Report the death to First Foundation's Bank Client Support at 1-888-405-4332
First Foundation has merged with another institutionMerged, effective April 2026
First Foundation Bank merged with and into Sunflower Bank, N.A. on April 1, 2026 and operates as "Sunflower Bank, N.A. dba First Foundation Bank" under FirstSun Capital Bancorp. The First Foundation name, logo, Client Support line (888-405-4332), and Private Wealth Management trust team continue while the systems convert. Personal and business accounts migrate to the Sunflower Bank platform on September 21, 2026; branches close at noon local time on Friday September 18 (Honolulu closed all day) and all branches are closed Saturday September 19. Mortgage servicing already moved to Sunflower Bank on July 17, 2026. Since August 18, 2026 the primary transition page has been sunflowerbank.com/merger-updates.
After an account holder at First Foundation dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact First Foundation's Bank Client Support at 1-888-405-4332 with the proper legal authority documents.
Death claim process
The death claim process at First Foundation works as follows:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the person handling the estate
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if the estate is probated
- Certification of trust or trust agreement naming the successor trustee, for accounts titled to a trustThe successor trustee also brings photo ID.
- Small estate affidavit, for a small estate where no probate is opened
- Letter of instruction, when sending documents by mailIdentifies the deceased person, the account numbers, your role, and where funds should be sent.
What happens to each kind of account2
- Account in one name
Under the California, Nevada and Hawaii deposit terms, a single-party account passes as part of the owner's estate.1
- Payable-on-death account
Under the California, Nevada and Hawaii deposit terms, a single-party account with a pay-on-death designation passes to the named payable-on-death beneficiaries outside the estate.1
State law on paying a balance without lettersFlorida, Texas
- Florida
Fla. Stat. § 735.303
Florida law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit made under oath, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Fla. Stat. § 735.303Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: family member (surviving spouse; else adult child; else adult descendant; else parent)
Limit: $2,000 held at the institution and $2,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 6 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.
- 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 elsewhere2
- First Foundation Private Wealth Management trust and estate settlement team
Trust accounts and estates served by Private Wealth Management2
Phone: 1-888-405-4332
- Sunflower Bank mortgage support
First Foundation mortgages, serviced by Sunflower Bank since July 17, 20262
Phone: 1-800-331-4799
Email: mortgagesupport@sunflowerbank.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM CT
What First Foundation's agreement and guidance say4
- Telling the institution
The "Death or Incompetence" clause requires prompt notice of the death by anyone with a right to withdraw. The bank may continue to honor checks, items and instructions until it knows of the death and has had a reasonable opportunity to act.1
- Payments after the death
The bank may pay or certify checks drawn on or before the date of death for up to ten days afterward, unless someone claiming an interest in the account orders a stop payment.1
- Deposits after the death
Under the "Direct Deposits" clause, the bank may deduct, without prior notice and from any account you hold with it, any federal benefit payment it is required to reimburse to the government.1
- Accounts from a merged institution
First Foundation operates as Sunflower Bank, N.A. dba First Foundation Bank. Personal and business accounts move to the Sunflower Bank platform on September 21, 2026 (updates).2
Trust documents need no changes because of the merger; Sunflower Bank, N.A. dba First Foundation Bank continues as trustee. Mortgage servicing moved to Sunflower Bank effective July 17, 2026.2
Sunflower Bank's merger FAQ tells First Foundation customers to keep contacting their existing First Foundation relationship managers and support teams through the conversion.3
Sources3
- 1.Terms and Conditions of Your Deposit Account
- 2.Client Support
- 3.Sunflower Bank merger FAQ
Payable-on-death and joint accounts typically release within days of receiving a certified death certificate.
First Foundation's Bank Client Support can be reached by phone at 1-888-405-4332 and email at onlinebanking@ff-inc.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
(4)·
Data sourced from First Foundation primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
First Foundation death claims support
Bank Client Support
Phone
Live personal online banking support
Private Wealth Management — Trust & Estate Settlement
Loan service
Mortgage support (Sunflower Bank)
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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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.
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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
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Renunciation of Executor
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