What to do when a Midland States account holder dies
Report the death to Midland States' Customer Care Center at 1-855-696-4352
After an account holder at Midland States 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 Midland States' Customer Care Center at 1-855-696-4352 with the proper legal authority documents.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Midland States:
Filing a claim
- Payable-on-death beneficiary: certified death certificate and photo ID
- Surviving joint owner: certified death certificate and photo ID
- Successor trustee: certified death certificate, the trust agreement or Certificate of Trust, and trustee photo ID
- Executor or administrator: certified death certificate and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration issued by the Illinois circuit court
- Small estate: certified death certificate and an Illinois small estate affidavit, if the estate qualifies
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the Illinois circuit court, for an account in one name with no POD designation
- Illinois small estate affidavit, where the estate qualifies
- Trust agreement or Certificate of Trust, and the successor trustee's ID, for a trust-titled account
- Beneficiary distribution paperwork, for an IRA or managed investment accountObtained from Midland Wealth Advisors or Raymond James.
- Midland Trust Company Estate Intake Form, where Midland Trust Company is engaged as executor or trustee; completed with the Trust OfficerIt asks for the date of death, every heir with address and phone number, and schedules of bank and investment accounts, stock certificates, real estate and mineral interests, life insurance and business interests.
- Signed original trust agreement, New Account Worksheet, Form W-9 and two forms of ID, to open a new Midland Trust Company trust accountOne primary ID (driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport or birth certificate) and one secondary ID (Social Security card, credit card, county ID, employment photo ID, insurance card or Medicare/Medicaid card).
Forms Midland States issues1
- Midland Trust Company Estate Intake Form
Completed by the Trust Officer or Administrator, with the family, when Midland Trust Company is engaged as executor or trustee. Available to download.1
What happens to each kind of account7
- Payable-on-death account
The named beneficiary claims the funds directly with a certified death certificate and photo ID. The money does not go through probate.2
- Joint account with survivorship
The surviving owner keeps the account on presenting the death certificate.2
- Trust account
The successor trustee presents the trust agreement or Certificate of Trust and trustee ID, and takes over the account.2
- Account in one name
An account in one name with no POD designation is an estate asset. The executor produces Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the Illinois circuit court, or an Illinois small estate affidavit if the estate qualifies.2
- IRA
The beneficiary completes distribution paperwork through Midland Wealth Advisors or Raymond James, not the branch.2
- Investment account
For a managed investment account, the beneficiary completes distribution paperwork through Midland Wealth Advisors or Raymond James, not the branch.2
- Health savings account
Claimed on the Lively platform at midlandsb.livelyme.com, not at the branch.2
Accounts handled elsewhere7
- Midland Trust Company, Chicago office
Trust and estate administration, and accounts held or administered by Midland Trust Company2
Phone: 1-312-338-7878
Mailing address: 225 West Washington Street, Suite 1640, Chicago, IL 60606
- Midland Trust Company, New York office (Tarrytown)
Trust and estate administration, and accounts held or administered by Midland Trust Company2
Phone: 1-914-580-7500
Mailing address: 120 White Plains Road, Suite 135, Tarrytown, NY 10591
- Midland Trust Company, Rockford office
Trust and estate administration, and accounts held or administered by Midland Trust Company2
Phone: 1-815-231-2710
- Elan
Midland personal credit cards, serviced off Midland's own platform2
- Midland Wealth Advisors
IRAs and managed investment accounts2
- Raymond James
IRAs and managed investment accounts2
What Midland States's agreement and guidance say3
- What it does when notified
Midland restricts the deceased person's accounts once the death is reported and the documents are under review, so outstanding checks, automatic payments and incoming direct deposits should be redirected rather than left to bounce.2
- Telling the institution
Reporting the death to Customer Care does not reach the HSA on Lively, the personal credit card serviced by Elan, the mortgage, which has its own login, or IRAs and managed accounts at Midland Wealth Advisors or Raymond James.2
- Fees
Consumer checking accounts are automatically enrolled in Courtesy Coverage. The overdraft fee is $36 per item, up to six item fees a business day, plus a $36 continuous overdraft fee every fifth business day the account stays negative from day 5 through day 25.3
Not in Midland States's published guidance6
- A claim form
- How long a claim takes
- Terms in its agreements for a customer's death
- Payments after the death
- Deposits after the death
- Debts owed to the institution
Sources3
- 1.Midland Trust Company Estate Intake Form, version 2021.06.14
- 2.Info Center
- 3.Overdraft disclosure
Midland States' Customer Care Center can be reached by phone at 1-855-696-4352 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Midland States primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Midland States death claims support
Customer Care Center (deposit accounts)
Phone
Toll-free
Midland Trust Company - Chicago
Midland Trust Company - New York (Tarrytown)
Midland Trust Company - Rockford
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Midland States accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
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.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
