What to do when a Northern Trust account holder dies
Contact Northern Trust — 4-step process, 8 required documents, and varies by account type; northern trust provides ongoing communication throughout the process
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more→
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Settlement Services
Phone1-312-557-5900
Toll-Free1-888-635-5350
Fax1-312-557-0411
Mailing Address
The Northern Trust Company, 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
After a Northern Trust account holder 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 Northern Trust's Estate Settlement Services at 1-312-557-5900 with the proper legal authority documents.
Northern Trust offers an online claims portal that makes the initial filing process more straightforward. Survivors can also initiate claims by phone or by mailing documentation directly.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Northern Trust:
Filing a claim
1
Report the death to Northern Trust:
- Contact Northern Trust at 1-888-635-5350 or visit a local office
- Provide the deceased's full name, date of birth, date of death, and account numbers if known
- If account number is unknown, Northern Trust may locate accounts using name and identifying information
2
Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
3
Provide documentation based on account type:
- Joint accounts typically become sole property of the surviving account holder
- For accounts with TOD/POD beneficiaries: provide beneficiary identification and complete transfer documentation
- For estate accounts: provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
4
Northern Trust processes the estate settlement:
- Northern Trust notifies all heirs, legatees, and next of kin
- Regular communication with beneficiaries and detailed account statements provided throughout the process
- Assets distributed to beneficiaries, including marital and family trusts as directed
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate (at least 10 copies recommended)
- Account numbers or identifying information for the deceased
- Government-issued ID for beneficiary, executor, or representative
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate is required)
- Trust agreement and trustee acceptance form (for trust accounts)
- Tax Identification Number (EIN) for the estate
- Small Estate Affidavit (if eligible under state law)
- State tax waiver (if required by your state)
Northern Trust estate settlement services include notification of heirs, communication with beneficiaries, asset distribution, and tax preparation. Estate settlement checklist available at: northerntrust.com/content/dam/northerntrust/pws/nt/documents/articles/wealth-management/estate-settlement-checklist.pdf. Brokerage Services line: 1-866-876-9944. Northern Funds Center: 1-800-595-9111.
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. When a borrower dies, the loan obligation transfers with the property to whoever inherits it. Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Act, the lender cannot accelerate the loan or call it due when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, or the borrower’s revocable trust.
1
Notify Northern Trust and provide initial information:
- Call the Mortgage Services line at 1-888-289-6542 or the Wealth Management line at 1-888-635-5350
- Provide the deceased borrower's full legal name, date of death, and loan number
2
Submit required documentation:
- Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
- Submit documentation proving your ownership interest in the property (probated will, court order, deed, or trust document)
3
Northern Trust will review your documentation and confirm your status as a Successor in Interest
4
Once confirmed as Successor in Interest:
- You will have access to loan information
- Discuss options: continue making payments, apply for loss mitigation, assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance
- If you are having trouble making payments, contact Northern Trust at 1-800-388-5316 for loss mitigation assistance
5
Continue making monthly mortgage payments during the review process to avoid default
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate)
- Documentation proving ownership interest in the property (probated will, court order, deed, or trust document)
- Trust document showing successor trustee or beneficiary (if property held in trust)
- Marriage certificate (if surviving spouse)
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), Northern Trust cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, relative upon death, or the borrower's revocable living trust. Confirmed Successors in Interest are treated as borrowers under CFPB mortgage servicing rules and are entitled to account information, loss mitigation options, and assumption rights. Loss mitigation / payment difficulty line: 1-800-388-5316. Past due mortgage accounts: 1-844-278-7706. Wealth Management: 1-888-635-5350.
How long the process takes at Northern Trust: Varies by account type; Northern Trust provides ongoing communication throughout the process. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Northern Trust requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate (at least 10 copies recommended), Account numbers or identifying information for the deceased, and Government-issued ID for beneficiary, executor, or representative, 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
Complete a Transfer on Death Registration Form, available from your Northern Trust advisor or at ntam.northerntrust.com. All registered account owners must sign the form, and a Medallion Signature Guarantee is required for existing accounts. TOD is available for sole owner accounts (natural persons) and joint accounts with rights of survivorship only.
Yes. Payable on Death (POD) beneficiaries can be added to Northern Trust checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts. Visit a Northern Trust office or contact your advisor to complete the POD designation. A Medallion Signature Guarantee is required for existing accounts.
No. Transfer on Death (TOD) registration is not available for accounts held in the name of a trust, corporation, or other non-natural person. TOD is available only for accounts held by a sole natural person or joint accounts with rights of survivorship. Trust accounts pass according to the terms of the trust document, not through TOD. For IRAs, a separate IRA Beneficiary Designation Form is used -- TOD registration does not apply to IRA accounts.
Northern Trust's Estate Settlement Services can be reached by phone at 1-888-635-5350 and fax at 1-312-557-0411 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Northern Trust accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Estate Settlement Services to confirm what applies.
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more→
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Settlement Services
Phone1-312-557-5900
Toll-Free1-888-635-5350
Fax1-312-557-0411
Mailing Address
The Northern Trust Company, 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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