What to do when an Opportunity Bank of Montana account holder dies
Report the death to Opportunity Bank of Montana's Customer Service at 1-888-750-2265
After an account holder at Opportunity Bank of Montana 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 Opportunity Bank of Montana's Customer Service at 1-888-750-2265 with the proper legal authority documents.
The claim process begins with a phone call to 1-888-750-2265. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Opportunity Bank of Montana requires:
Filing a claim
What happens to each kind of account5
- Account in one name
An account in one person's name with no pay-on-death beneficiary passes as part of that person's estate.1
- Joint account with survivorship
On a joint account with survivorship, the deceased owner's share goes to a surviving spouse on the account if there is one, and otherwise to the other surviving owners equally, who keep survivorship between them.1
- Joint account without survivorship
On a joint account opened without survivorship, the deceased owner's part goes to that owner's estate.1
- Payable-on-death account
A pay-on-death account goes to its named beneficiaries outside the estate: on a one-owner account when that owner dies, and on a joint account with survivorship only when the last owner dies.1
- Certificate of deposit
An early withdrawal from a certificate normally costs at least $40. The account terms say the penalty may be waived in some cases, such as an owner's death, where the law allows or requires it.1
What Opportunity Bank of Montana's agreement and guidance say7
- Payments after the death
The bank can keep paying checks and following instructions until it learns of the death and has time to act. For up to ten days after the death it may pay checks written on or before that date, unless someone with an interest in the account tells it to stop.1
- Powers of attorney
An agent named on an account in one person's name loses authority when that person dies. On a joint account the agent's authority ends at the last owner's death if nothing ends it sooner.1
- Debts owed to the institution
Opportunity Bank can take money from an account to cover a due debt that an owner owes it. It does not do this from an IRA or other tax-deferred account, or where the person owing the debt can withdraw only as someone else's representative.1
- Disputes between claimants
When survivors or beneficiaries make competing claims to an account, the bank may hold the money until a court decides or it has proof the dispute is settled.1
- Fees
Research on an account costs $25 an hour, a printout of a statement or account activity is $2, and a notice of execution or levy is $75.2
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
A checking or money market account with no activity for a year, or a savings account with none for three years, is charged a $5 dormant fee each month.2
- Which state governs the account
The account terms are governed by Montana law and federal law.1
Not in Opportunity Bank of Montana's published guidance9
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A claim form
- A list of required documents
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
- A fax number for claim documents
- An email address for claim documents
- An online way to report a death
- How long a claim takes
- A small-estate procedure
Sources2
- 1.Terms and Conditions of Your Account
- 2.Common Features: Consumer Fee Schedule, Effective: 08/01/2026
Opportunity Bank of Montana's Customer Service can be reached by phone at 1-888-750-2265 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
(2)·
Data sourced from Opportunity Bank of Montana primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
Opportunity Bank of Montana death claims support
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Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for your state.
Affidavit of Death
Put a joint owner's or a transfer on death deed owner's death on the land records with the affidavit your state's statute names, laid out for recording.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
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.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for your state.
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