What to do when a Mechanics Bank account holder dies
Report the death to Mechanics Bank's Customer Care at 1-800-797-6324
After an account holder at Mechanics Bank 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 Mechanics Bank's Customer Care at 1-800-797-6324 with the proper legal authority documents.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Mechanics Bank:
Filing a claim
- The deceased account holder's name, account number and date of death
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Your government-issued photo ID
- Certification of trust and trustee ID (trust-titled accounts)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (probated estates, and any tenancy-in-common share)
- A small estate affidavit, where the state allows one
- IRA distribution or transfer paperwork (retirement accounts)
- The deceased account holder's name, account number and date of death
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Your government-issued photo ID
- Written notice of the death
- P.O.D., Totten trust or joint account: the beneficiary's or surviving owner's ID
- Trust-titled account: the certification of trust and the successor trustee's ID
- Probated estate or tenancy-in-common share: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- IRA: the named beneficiary's ID, and the bank's IRA distribution or transfer paperwork
- That the account holder has died, with the full legal name, date of death and account number(s)
- Your name, your role (surviving joint owner, P.O.D. or ITF beneficiary, successor trustee, executor or administrator), your phone number and your mailing address
- Written notice that the bank should stop honoring items drawn on the account
- How you want the funds released (transfer to a new account, wire or check) and to whom
- A mortgage payoff, correspondence or address change: Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing, 33405 8th Ave South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
- Mortgage payments: Mechanics Bank, PO Box 34610, Seattle, WA 98124
- A Notice of Error or Request for Information: the Federal Way address, marked Attn: Loan Servicing/QA
Required Documents
- Death certificateA certified copy.
- Government-issued photo ID, for the beneficiary, surviving owner, successor trustee or personal representative
- Written notice of the deathA letter of instruction serves as the notice and the claim.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, for a probated estate, and for a tenancy-in-common share
- Certification of trust, for a trust-titled accountThe bank may ask for the relevant pages of the trust agreement.
- Small estate affidavit, where the state allows one
- IRA beneficiary distribution or transfer paperwork, for a retirement account
- Written instruction on how the funds should be releasedNew account, transfer or check.
- The loan or account number, and proof of ownership interest in the property, for a Mechanics Bank loan; the proof of ownership when the bank confirms Successor in Interest status on a mortgage or HELOC
What happens to each kind of account6
- Payable-on-death account
A P.O.D. account passes to the beneficiaries who survive the last owner, in equal shares unless the owner instructed the bank otherwise in writing.1
A Totten trust ("in trust for") account passes the same way, but a beneficiary must have survived all account owners to take anything.1
- Joint account with survivorship
A joint tenancy account passes to the survivor "unless there is clear and convincing evidence of a different intent on the signature card." The surviving owner presents ID and the deceased owner's name is removed.1
- Joint account without survivorship
On a tenancy-in-common account, the deceased owner's share goes to their estate, so the personal representative, not the co-owner, claims it.1
- Community property account
On a community property account (spouses or registered domestic partners), ownership is determined by community property law and may be affected by a will.1
- Trust account
The successor trustee presents the certification of trust and their ID. The bank may ask for the relevant pages of the trust agreement.2
- IRA
The named beneficiary presents ID and completes the bank's IRA distribution or transfer paperwork.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersOregon, Washington
- Oregon
ORS 708A.430
Oregon law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.ORS 708A.430Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: surviving spouse
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: at any time after the death
Paid to: Oregon Health Authority or Department of Human Services (no surviving spouse; preferred claim under ORS 411.708, 411.795 or 416.350)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not less than 46 days and no more than 75 days after the death
Paid to: surviving children 18 or older; else surviving parent(s); else surviving brothers and sisters 18 or older; else any other surviving heir
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 76 days after the death; not earlier than 46 days after the death where the institution obtains prior verbal or written authorization from both the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services
Paid to: estate administrator of the State Treasurer (intestate, no known heirs)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
- Washington
RCW 30A.22.190(2)
Washington law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $2,500 held at the institution
Paid to: the surviving spouse, next of kin, funeral director, or other creditor who may appear to be entitled thereto
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
RCW 30A.22.190(1)
Washington law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(1)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: The section sets no dollar limit.
Paid to: the surviving spouse (party to a community property agreement with the decedent that reaches the funds)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
Accounts handled elsewhere5
- Mechanics Bank Loan Servicing Department
Mechanics Bank mortgages2
Phone: 1-800-237-3194
Email: loanservice@mechanicsbank.com
Fax: 1-206-903-3094
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM PT
Mailing address: Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing, 33405 8th Avenue South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
- Collection/Special Asset Department
Mechanics Bank home equity lines and HELOCs, reached by asking for it at Customer Care2
Phone: 1-800-797-6324
- Westlake Portfolio Management
Mechanics Bank auto loans, which it has serviced since May 1, 20252
Phone: 1-877-266-9600
- Mechanics Bank Wealth Management
Trust administration and estate settlement, where it acts as trustee, executor, co-fiduciary or agent to a trustee2
Phone: 1-925-482-8060
Email: wealth@mechanicsbank.com
- HomeStreet transition line
Accounts that came over from HomeStreet Bank2
Phone: 1-800-719-8080
What Mechanics Bank's agreement and guidance say8
- Telling the institution
The bank must be notified immediately of the death or court-declared incompetence of any owner, authorized signer or designated beneficiary.1
- Payments after the death
Until the bank has written notice and a reasonable opportunity to act, it may continue to honor items drawn by an authorized signer. Even with knowledge of the death, it may pay checks drawn on the account for ten days after the date of death.1
- Deposits after the death
The bank may freeze, offset, refuse or reverse deposits and transactions, including government or retirement benefit payments payable to the deceased. If it must return funds removed from the account after the death, the other owners agree to reimburse it.1
- Debts owed to the institution
Joint, P.O.D., Totten trust and tenancy-in-common accounts are subject to the bank's right of setoff and security interest, so a debt the decedent owed Mechanics Bank can be taken from the balance, even where that triggers an early withdrawal penalty.1
The setoff does not reach IRAs and other tax-deferred retirement accounts.1
- Disputes between claimants
If a dispute arises over control of or access to the account, or the bank receives conflicting instructions, it may require the signatures of all owners or freeze the account until it has evidence satisfactory to it that the dispute is resolved.1
A separate clause applies on an owner's death: "If we have any question as to the ownership of funds or the amount of funds that belong to any person upon the death of an owner, we may freeze all or part of the account, pending receipt of proof (satisfactory to us) of each claimant's right to the funds."1
- Which state governs the account
Mechanics Bank applies the law of the state governing the account.2
- Accounts from a merged institution
Former HomeStreet Bank accounts have moved onto Mechanics Bank systems. Heirs can use Customer Care or the HomeStreet transition line.2
- Who can get account information
Mechanics Bank takes Verification of Deposit and Verification of Loan requests by fax, but only from authorized organizations.2
Not in Mechanics Bank's published guidance3
- A claim form
- A mailing address for claim documents
- How long a claim takes
Sources2
- 1.Personal Account Agreement, effective March 23, 2026
- 2.Contact Us
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.
- Call Loan Servicing at 800-237-3194 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm PT; the automated system runs 24/7)
- Give the deceased borrower's full legal name, the loan number and the property address
- Follow up in writing to Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing, 33405 8th Ave South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
- Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
- Request the bank's Successor in Interest documentation from Loan Servicing
- Return it with proof of your ownership interest in the property (probated will, court order, deed or trust document)
- The review time varies with how quickly the ownership documentation is produced; ask Loan Servicing for the current review timeline
- The payoff figure, by phone or through the automated payoff-request fax line at 206-903-3094
- The unpaid principal balance as of the date of death
- Whether the loan has an escrow account
- Payoffs, general correspondence and address changes: Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing, 33405 8th Ave South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
- Loan payments: Mechanics Bank, PO Box 34610, Seattle, WA 98124
- A Notice of Error or Request for Information: the same street address, marked Attn: Loan Servicing/QA
- Written questions: loanservice@mechanicsbank.com, generally answered within 48 hours; the bank asks that no personal or confidential information be included in email
- Continue paying the existing loan
- Assume the loan
- Refinance
- Pay off the remaining balance from estate assets
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Proof of ownership interest in the propertyA probated will, court order, deed or trust document.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if the estate is probated
- Marriage certificate, for a surviving spouse
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-237-3194
Automated payoff requests: 1-206-903-3094 (fax)
Automated system: 1-800-237-3194, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Email: loanservice@mechanicsbank.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM PT
Mailing address: Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing, 33405 8th Avenue South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
If the estate cannot keep up the payment, Loan Servicing provides a Homeowners Assistance Packet. The bank considers loan modification, temporary forbearance, refinancing, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure and pre-foreclosure sale.1
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
What Mechanics Bank's agreement and guidance say1
- Debts owed to the institution
The Personal Account Agreement gives the bank a right of setoff against deposit accounts for debts owed to it, so a past-due mortgage balance can reach the decedent's deposit balances at Mechanics Bank.2
Sources2
- 1.Contact Us
- 2.Personal Account Agreement, effective March 23, 2026
- Call 800-797-6324 and ask for the Collection/Special Asset Department, the desk the bank names for home equity loan and HELOC hardship, or take the documents to a branch
- Give the deceased borrower's full legal name, the account number and the property address
- Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
- Ask for the outstanding balance and the accrued interest as of the date of death
- Request the bank's Successor in Interest documentation
- Return it with proof of your ownership interest in the property
- The review time varies with how quickly the ownership documentation is produced
- Pay off the outstanding balance from estate assets
- Refinance the debt
- Agree repayment terms with the bank
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Proof of ownership interest in the propertyA probated will, court order, deed or trust document.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if the estate is probated
- Marriage certificate, for a surviving spouse
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-797-6324
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM PT; Saturday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM PT
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
The draw period ends at death and the balance remains due. No further draws can be taken once the bank knows the borrower has died.1
If the estate cannot service the line, Mechanics Bank considers a repayment plan, a forbearance agreement, a loan modification or a bank-approved short sale. Ask for the Collection/Special Asset Department at 800-797-6324; it asks for documents covering income, expenses, the hardship and the property.1
What Mechanics Bank's agreement and guidance say1
- Debts owed to the institution
The Personal Account Agreement's right of setoff reaches deposit accounts at Mechanics Bank for a past-due HELOC balance.2
Sources2
- 1.Contact Us
- 2.Personal Account Agreement, effective March 23, 2026
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the personal representative or heir
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, or a small estate affidavit, a small estate affidavit where the state has one that applies
- The WPM account number, or the vehicle VIN
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-877-266-9600
Mailing address: Westlake Portfolio Management, P.O. Box 847405, Los Angeles, CA 90084-7405
Not in Mechanics Bank's published guidance1
- A procedure for reporting a death
Mechanics Bank's Customer Care can be reached by phone at 1-800-797-6324 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
(1)·
Data sourced from Mechanics Bank primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Mechanics Bank death claims support
Customer Care
Phone
Toll-free
Former HomeStreet Bank accounts
Wealth Management (trust and estate administration)
Mortgage Loan Servicing
HELOC hardship (ask for Collection/Special Asset Department)
Auto loans, now serviced by Westlake Portfolio Management
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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