What to do when a First Merchants account holder dies
Contact First Merchants's Private Wealth Advisors - Fiduciary Services — 4-step process, 6 required documents, and pod accounts: typically 5-10 business days after documentation is complete. estate accounts: varies based on probate requirements.
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)
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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
What happens to First Merchants 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 First Merchants's Private Wealth Advisors - Fiduciary Services (765-747-1300) to claim the funds.
Before contacting First Merchants, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready. A certified death certificate is required to initiate the claim.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at First Merchants:
Filing a claim
1
Report the death to First Merchants:
- Call 1-800-205-3464 or visit a local banking center
- Provide the deceased account holder's name and account information
- Submit a certified death certificate (original or certified copy)
2
Provide additional documentation based on account type:
- POD accounts: beneficiary provides certified death certificate and government-issued ID to receive funds
- Joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving owner provides death certificate to remove deceased from account
- Accounts without POD or survivorship: executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- Trust accounts: successor trustee provides death certificate, trust documents, and trustee identification
3
First Merchants reviews all documentation and processes the claim
4
Assets distributed per beneficiary designation, survivorship, trust terms, or estate instructions
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate (original or certified copy)
- Government-issued ID for beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD or survivorship)
- Account information (statements, account numbers)
- Trust documents and successor trustee ID (if trust is owner or beneficiary)
- Small estate affidavit (if applicable under state law)
Investment and retirement accounts held through First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors may have separate death claim procedures. Contact your Private Wealth Advisor directly at 1-866-238-0082 for those accounts. Visit your nearest banking center for the fastest processing.
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
Report the borrower's death to First Merchants:
- Call mortgage services at 1-800-205-3464
- Provide the deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number, and loan number
- Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
2
Establish Successor in Interest status:
- Request the Successor in Interest application
- Provide documentation proving your ownership interest in the property (e.g., probated will, court order, deed, or trust document)
- First Merchants will review your documentation and confirm your status
3
Once confirmed, discuss available options:
- Continue making payments on existing terms
- Assume the loan, refinance, or 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
- Documentation proving ownership interest in the property (probated will, court order, recorded deed, or trust document)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate)
- Marriage certificate (if surviving spouse)
- Trust document showing successor trustee or beneficiary (if applicable)
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), First Merchants 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.
How long the process takes at First Merchants: POD accounts: typically 5-10 business days after documentation is complete. Estate accounts: varies based on probate requirements. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
First Merchants requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate (original or certified copy), Government-issued ID for beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD or survivorship), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designations on First Merchants deposit accounts take precedence over instructions in your will. This is why it is important to keep beneficiary designations updated whenever your circumstances change, such as after marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
The process depends on how your accounts are titled. POD (Payable on Death) accounts pass directly to named beneficiaries upon presentation of a death certificate and valid ID, bypassing probate. Joint accounts with right of survivorship transfer to the surviving owner. Accounts without POD or survivorship designations become part of the estate and require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Trust-owned accounts pass according to the trust terms. Contact First Merchants at 1-800-205-3464 or visit a banking center to initiate the process.
POD (Payable on Death) applies to deposit accounts such as checking, savings, money market, and CDs. TOD (Transfer on Death) applies to investment accounts held through First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors. Both designations allow the account to pass directly to named beneficiaries outside of probate. The account owner retains full control during their lifetime and can change beneficiaries at any time.
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), First Merchants cannot accelerate (call due) your mortgage when you transfer your home to your own revocable living trust. The same protection applies to transfers to a surviving spouse or child upon the borrower's death. Your loan terms, interest rate, and payment schedule remain unchanged.
First Merchants's Death Claims / Estate Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-205-3464 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple First Merchants accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Private Wealth Advisors - Fiduciary Services can clarify what's needed for each account type.
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
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