Estate planning at First Merchants
How to protect 18 First Merchants accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file claims through First Merchants's Private Wealth Advisors - Fiduciary Services
Customer Service
Phone765-747-1300
Toll-Free1-800-205-3464
Mailing Address
First Merchants Bank, PO Box 549, Daleville, IN 47334
Telephone Banking (24/7)
Private Wealth Advisors
Treasury Solutions
Lost/Stolen Credit Card (Elan)
WebsiteLearn more→
Private Wealth Advisors - Fiduciary Services
Phone765-747-1300
Toll-Free1-866-238-0082
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Services
Phone765-747-1300
Toll-Free1-800-205-3464
Mailing Address
First Merchants Bank, PO Box 549, Daleville, IN 47334
Verified Apr 2026
First Merchants has 18 accounts, each with different rules for what happens when the account holder dies. Of those, 14 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. The right combination of beneficiary designations and trust ownership can keep the entire portfolio out of probate.
Beneficiary designations at First Merchants can be managed in branch and by phone, typically taking 15-30 minutes in branch. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
First Merchants has documented procedures for both preparing accounts during your lifetime and handling claims when an account holder passes away.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 18 account types at First Merchants.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact First Merchants's Private Wealth Advisors - Fiduciary Services to file a claim. 4-step process, 6 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Reach First Merchants's Private Wealth Advisors - Fiduciary Services at 1-866-238-0082 for help with any of these procedures.
Because First Merchants serves a limited number of states, procedures for trust funding and beneficiary changes may differ depending on your location. Verify availability before starting.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors provides comprehensive trust administration, fiduciary services, estate planning coordination, investment management, and retirement plan services. The bank has served as a professional fiduciary for over 130 years and can serve as Trustee, Executor, or Guardian. The team of more than 100 professionals advises on over $8 billion in total client assets. The team works alongside your existing legal and tax advisors. Contact Private Wealth Advisors at 1-866-238-0082.
Yes. Checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts at First Merchants can be retitled to a revocable living trust. Visit a banking center with your Certification of Trust (or full trust agreement), government-issued ID for all trustees, and the trust tax identification number or grantor SSN. The retitling process typically takes 1-2 weeks. IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust, but a trust can be named as IRA beneficiary.
You will need a Certification of Trust or a complete copy of the trust agreement, government-issued photo ID for all trustees, and a trust tax identification number (EIN) or the grantor's Social Security number for revocable trusts. Visit a First Merchants banking center to complete the account opening or retitling paperwork.
Yes. While IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust, you can name your revocable living trust as the beneficiary of your Traditional or Roth IRA. This may be appropriate for tax planning or to provide structured distributions to beneficiaries. Consult a qualified tax advisor before naming a trust as IRA beneficiary, as it may affect required minimum distribution rules.
Yes. First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors can serve as Trustee, Executor, or Guardian through its fiduciary services division. The bank has provided professional fiduciary administration for over 130 years. Every advisor carries a fiduciary designation, meaning they are held to the highest legal standard of care. Contact Private Wealth Advisors at 1-866-238-0082 or 765-747-1300.
Sources
Data sourced from First Merchants primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.
Customer Service
Phone765-747-1300
Toll-Free1-800-205-3464
Mailing Address
First Merchants Bank, PO Box 549, Daleville, IN 47334
Telephone Banking (24/7)
Private Wealth Advisors
Treasury Solutions
Lost/Stolen Credit Card (Elan)
WebsiteLearn more→
Private Wealth Advisors - Fiduciary Services
Phone765-747-1300
Toll-Free1-866-238-0082
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Services
Phone765-747-1300
Toll-Free1-800-205-3464
Mailing Address
First Merchants Bank, PO Box 549, Daleville, IN 47334
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your First Merchants accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
