What to do when a Huntington account holder dies
Report the death to Huntington's General customer service at 1-800-480-2265
What happens to Huntington 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 Huntington's General customer service (1-800-480-2265) to claim the funds.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Huntington:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Adequate proof of death, for payment of a payable-on-death account
- Any necessary tax releases, for payment of a payable-on-death account
- Proper identification, for payment of a payable-on-death account
- A copy of the trust agreement or other document, such as a certification of trust, for a formal trust accountHuntington may require it so that it can ensure the appropriate authority of trustees.
What happens to each kind of account3
- Joint account with survivorship
If one joint owner dies, the balance may be paid to the survivor. If there is more than one survivor, it may be paid to any of them, and the survivors still have rights of survivorship.1
Each joint owner is responsible for all transactions on the account, even a check or payment presented after the other joint owner's death, and for any overdrafts.1
- Payable-on-death account
On the owner's death, or on a joint account the death of all joint owners, Huntington pays the balance to the beneficiaries on the signature card or in its records who are then living, in equal shares unless otherwise noted. A joint owner's pledge of the account comes before a beneficiary's interest.1
On an informal trust account ("in trust for" or Totten trust), if the trustee dies, Huntington transfers the account to the beneficiaries designated on the signature card or identified in its records.1
- Trust account
On a formal trust account, Huntington acts only as a custodian of the trust funds on deposit. It has no obligation to act as trustee or to inquire into the powers or duties of the trustees.1
State requirements Huntington statesIndiana
- Indiana
For an Indiana payable-on-death designation, the agreement says a lineal-descendant beneficiary who does not survive the owner has that share pass "to his or her lineal descendants in order," unless "No LDPS" is written next to the beneficiary's name on the designation form.1
State law on paying a balance without letters9 states
- Florida
Permits a bank to pay up to $2,000 on an affidavitFla. Stat. § 735.303Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Georgia
Permits a bank to pay up to $15,000 on an affidavitO.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Kentucky
Directs a bank to pay up to $2,500 on an order of the courtKRS 391.030(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Louisiana
Permits a bank to pay up to $20,000 on an affidavitLa. R.S. 6:315.1Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceLa. R.S. 6:315.1
Permits a bank to pay up to $20,000 on an affidavitLa. R.S. 9:1513Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceLa. R.S. 9:1513
- Mississippi
Permits a bank to pay up to $12,500 on a signed receipt or releaseMiss. Code Ann. § 81-5-63Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Pennsylvania
Directs a bank to pay up to $20,000 on an affidavit20 Pa.C.S. § 3101(b)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Tennessee
Permits a bank to pay up to $15,000 on proof the institution acceptsT.C.A. § 45-2-708Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceT.C.A. § 45-2-708
Permits a bank to pay up to $10,000 on proof the institution acceptsT.C.A. § 30-2-103(b)(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceT.C.A. § 30-2-103(b)(2)
- Texas
Permits a bank to pay up to $5,000 on an order of the courtTex. Est. Code § 152.051Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- West Virginia
Permits a bank to pay up to $5,000 on an affidavitW. Va. Code § 44-1-28(c), (d)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
What Huntington's agreement and guidance say3
- Debts owed to the institution
If an owner owed Huntington money at death, Huntington may pay withdrawals such as checks and set off against the account after the death, "regardless of any rights that a surviving owner, including a POD or other beneficiary may have to funds in the Account."1
Before paying a payable-on-death beneficiary, Huntington may first deduct any amount that any owner owes it.1
- How proceeds are paid
When the account holder is deceased and the beneficiary is closing the account, the beneficiary is issued a cashier's check, without needing an active Huntington account.2
- Disputes between claimants
If anyone notifies Huntington of a dispute regarding an account, it may place a hold on the account, and it has no obligation to determine whether the claim is valid first.1
If Huntington believes joint owners are in dispute or receives inconsistent instructions from them, it may suspend or close the account, require a court order to act, or require all joint owners to agree in writing.1
Not in Huntington's published guidance3
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- How long a claim takes
Sources2
- 1.Huntington Consumer Deposit Account Agreement, Effective as of March 15, 2026
- 2.How To Get a Cashier's Check Without Bank Account
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.
- Include the borrower's name and the account number
- Describe the specific information you are requesting
- This is not the mortgage payment address, PO Box 182661, Columbus, OH 43218-2661
Required Documents
- Written information request to be reviewed as a potential successor in interestWith the borrower's name and account number, describing the specific information requested.
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-323-4695
Fax: 1-614-480-6009
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-8:00 PM ET; Saturday 8:00 AM-2:00 PM ET
Mailing address: Successor-in-interest and written servicing requests: The Huntington National Bank, P.O. Box 340996, Columbus, OH 43234. Mortgage Customer Service (physical): Attn: GW1N09, 5555 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43231.
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 Huntington's published guidance1
- A procedure for reporting a death, for lending products
Huntington's General customer service can be reached by phone at 1-800-480-2265 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Huntington primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Huntington death claims support
General customer service
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