What to do when a Great Southern Bank account holder dies
Contact Great Southern Bank's Branch Banking — 3-step process, 8 required documents, and pod and joint accounts typically processed within a few business days of receiving all required documents; probate estates may take longer
Customer Service
Phone800-749-7113
Mailing Address
218 S. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802
Telephone Banking
Wire Inquiries
Loan Servicing
WebsiteLearn more→
Branch Banking / Customer Service
Phone800-749-7113
Mailing Address
218 S. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
When a Great Southern Bank account holder 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 Great Southern Bank's Branch Banking (800-749-7113) to access and distribute the funds.
Death claims at Great Southern Bank can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Great Southern Bank works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Contact Great Southern Bank at 800-749-7113 to notify them of the account holder's death
2
Visit a branch with a certified copy of the death certificate and valid government-issued ID
3
Follow the process for your account type:
- For accounts with POD beneficiary: present death certificate and beneficiary ID to claim funds directly
- For joint accounts: provide death certificate and complete applicable account maintenance forms
- For IRA accounts: provide death certificate, complete IRA beneficiary claim forms, and select distribution method
- For trust accounts: provide trust documentation, death certificate, and ID for successor trustee
- For accounts without beneficiary: obtain probate documents (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) or small estate affidavit if applicable
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee
- Account information for the deceased
- For POD accounts: beneficiary designation confirmation
- For IRA accounts: IRA beneficiary claim/distribution forms
- For trust accounts: trust agreement, successor trustee documentation, and letters of successor trustee
- For probate estates: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the court
- For small estates: state-specific small estate affidavit (if applicable under state law)
Branch visit is generally required to complete estate settlement proceedings. Contact 800-749-7113 for specific documentation requirements based on account type and state of residence.
Processing timelines at Great Southern Bank: POD and joint accounts typically processed within a few business days of receiving all required documents; probate estates may take longer. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Great Southern Bank requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee, and Account information for the deceased, 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. Great Southern Bank allows POD beneficiary designations on checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts. To add or update a POD beneficiary, visit any Great Southern Bank branch with a government-issued photo ID and provide the beneficiary full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, relationship, and mailing address. You may also call 800-749-7113 to initiate the process.
The process depends on the account type. For accounts with a POD beneficiary, the named beneficiary can claim funds by presenting a certified death certificate and valid photo ID at any branch. Joint accounts with right of survivorship pass to the surviving owner. IRA beneficiaries complete IRA claim and distribution forms. Trust accounts transfer to the successor trustee with trust documentation. Accounts without beneficiary designations or survivorship rights may require probate or a small estate affidavit. Contact 800-749-7113 to begin the process.
Great Southern Bank's Branch Banking / Customer Service can be reached by phone at 800-749-7113 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Great Southern Bank accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Branch Banking can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Customer Service
Phone800-749-7113
Mailing Address
218 S. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802
Telephone Banking
Wire Inquiries
Loan Servicing
WebsiteLearn more→
Branch Banking / Customer Service
Phone800-749-7113
Mailing Address
218 S. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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