What to do when a First Western Trust account holder dies
Report the death to First Western Trust's Trusts and Estates at 1-303-531-8100
After an account holder at First Western Trust 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 Western Trust's Trusts and Estates at 1-303-531-8100 with the proper legal authority documents.
Death claim process
The death claim process at First Western Trust works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Call the office that held the relationship, or the Denver headquarters at (303) 531-8100, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Office addresses, phone numbers and hours are on the locations page
- Give the deceased person's full legal name and the account numbers
- Mailed notice goes to First Western Trust Bank, 1900 16th Street, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80202
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID
- Trust agreement or Certificate of Trust if the account is titled in a trust
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration if the estate is in probate
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID, for the beneficiary, trustee or personal representative
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, for an estate in probate
- Trust agreement or Certificate of Trust, for an account titled in a trust
- Successor trustee acceptance or appointment documentation, where a successor trustee is taking over
- Account numbers or statementsIdentifying the accounts being claimed.
What happens to each kind of account8
- Account in one name
For an individually owned account with no beneficiary, the executor or administrator presents Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration issued by the probate court.1
- Joint account with survivorship
Ownership passes to the surviving owner.1
- Payable-on-death account
The named beneficiary of a payable-on-death deposit account presents the death certificate and government-issued photo ID.1
- Investment account
For a transfer-on-death investment account, the named beneficiary presents the death certificate and ID and completes the transfer paperwork.1
- Trust account
For an account titled in a trust, the successor trustee presents the death certificate, the trust agreement or Certificate of Trust, and trustee identification.1
Where First Western Trust is the trustee, the trust department administers the trust under its terms once it has the death certificate.1
- Life insurance policy
For a policy placed through the Insurance Solutions group, the claim is filed with the issuing insurer, not with the bank.1
- Annuity
For an annuity placed through the Insurance Solutions group, the claim is filed with the issuing insurer, not with the bank.1
- Safe deposit box
First Western Trust rents safe deposit boxes, so an estate may need to arrange box access separately from the deposit accounts. Box rental is set by the private banker; the late charge is $10.00 and there is no charge for the key deposit.2
State requirements First Western Trust statesCalifornia
- California
California clients are served from the Century City office, which the locations page lists as "Trust and Wealth Management Only".3
What First Western Trust's agreement and guidance say1
- Fees
Account Research is $25.00 per hour, which applies when an executor asks for historical statements or records.2
Levy/Garnishment/Subpoena/Other Legal Services is $100.00 per hour, plus account research fees, which applies when a court order or subpoena accompanies the request. Notary service is free.2
Not in First Western Trust's published guidance5
- A claim form to download
- How long a claim takes
- Terms in its agreements for a customer's death
- Payments after the death
- Deposits after the death
Sources3
First Western Trust's Trusts and Estates can be reached by phone at 1-303-531-8100 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
(3)·
Data sourced from First Western Trust primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
First Western Trust death claims support
Trusts and Estates
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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
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