What to do when a Glacier Bank account holder dies
Report the death to Glacier Bank's Customer Service at 1-800-735-4371
When an account holder at Glacier Bank 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 Glacier Bank's Customer Service (1-406-756-4200) to access and distribute the funds.
To start a claim, contact Glacier Bank by phone at 1-406-756-4200 or email documentation to glacier@glacierbank.com. You will need the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Glacier Bank:
Filing a claim
What happens to each kind of account6
- Payable-on-death account
On a single-party account with a payable-on-death designation, the beneficiary presents photo ID. The account passes to the beneficiary and is not part of the deceased person's estate, so no Letters are needed.1
On a multiple-party account with right of survivorship and a payable-on-death designation, the beneficiaries take only at the death of the last surviving party.1
- Joint account with survivorship
On a multiple-party account with right of survivorship, the surviving party presents photo ID to have the deceased person's name removed.1
- Account in one name
A single-party account without survivorship or a payable-on-death designation passes through the estate. The personal representative presents Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.1
- Joint account without survivorship
A multiple-party account without survivorship or a payable-on-death designation passes through the estate. The personal representative presents Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.1
- Fiduciary account
Under the agreement, an account recorded as a fiduciary account is removed from the bank's right of setoff and from execution, levy or garnishment against the account holder personally. Ask the branch to record any estate or trust account it opens that way.2
- Certificate of deposit
The agreement recognizes the death or incompetence of an account owner as a circumstance where the law permits, and in some cases requires, waiver of the early withdrawal penalty. If a certificate has to be broken, ask the branch to waive it.2
Without the waiver, a partial withdrawal can cost the whole certificate: "We may close your account and impose the early withdrawal penalty on the entire account balance in the event of a partial early withdrawal". The penalty also applies to a withdrawal caused by setoff or legal process.2
What Glacier Bank's agreement and guidance say6
- Telling the institution
"You agree to notify us promptly if any person with a right to withdraw funds from your account(s) dies or is adjudicated (determined by the appropriate official) incompetent."2
- Payments after the death
Until the bank knows of the death and has had a reasonable opportunity to act on that knowledge, it may continue to honor the deceased person's checks, items and instructions.2
Even after notice, the bank may pay or certify checks drawn on or before the date of death for up to ten days after the death, unless someone claiming an interest in the account orders a stop payment.2
- Disputes between claimants
Under "RESOLVING ACCOUNT DISPUTES" the bank may place an administrative hold, refusing payment or withdrawal, when the account becomes subject to an adverse claim, including one by "others claiming an interest as survivors or beneficiaries of your account", or when account owners dispute it.2
The hold runs until a legal proceeding, including arbitration, determines the claim or the bank receives evidence satisfactory to it that the dispute is resolved. The bank disclaims liability for items dishonored because of the hold.2
- Fees
The fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 charges a Stop Payment Fee of $30.00 per item and a Levy/Garnishment Fee of $75.00 per request.3
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
The fee schedule charges an Unclaimed Property Fee that varies by state.3
- Online access
Online banking goes dormant after six months of inactivity, and the online banking profile is deleted after 550 days. Only 18 months of eStatements can be retrieved through online banking.1
Not in Glacier Bank's published guidance3
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A list of required documents
Sources3
- 1.Contact
- 2.Terms and Conditions of Your Account
- 3.Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026
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.
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-735-4371
Mailing address: Glacier Bank, P.O. Box 27, Kalispell, MT 59903
Federal law on calling a home loan after a death
These exemptions apply to a loan secured by residential real property containing less than five dwelling units.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d); 12 CFR 191.5(b), 141.14Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(3); 12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(iii)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(5)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become an owner of the property.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(6)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
A federal regulation sets further conditions on these transfers.12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(v)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Not in Glacier Bank's published guidance4
- A claim form
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A list of required documents
- Resolution options for a successor
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-735-4371
Mailing address: Glacier Bank, P.O. Box 27, Kalispell, MT 59903
Not in Glacier Bank's published guidance2
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A list of required documents
Glacier Bank's Customer Service can be reached by phone at 1-800-735-4371 and email at glacier@glacierbank.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
(1)·
Data sourced from Glacier Bank primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Glacier Bank death claims support
Customer Service
Phone
Toll-free
After-Hours Debit Card and Online Banking Support
Mailing address
Website
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Affidavit of Death
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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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