What to do when a Popular Bank account holder dies
Contact Popular Bank's Popular Private Client Trust Services — 9-step process, 12 required documents, and varies; puerto rico estates may take longer due to civil law requirements
Phone1-800-377-0800
Mailing Address
Popular Bank Customer Care Center, P.O. Box 4906, Miami Lakes, FL 33014-8500
TTY/TDD
Popular Direct Customer Care Center (online savings/CD)
WebsiteLearn more→
Popular Private Client Trust Services
Phone1-888-588-8419
Puerto Rico Trust Department
NYC Headquarters (85 Broad St)
NYC Madison Avenue (285 Madison Ave)
NYC Columbus Avenue (730 Columbus Ave)
Miami Brickell (1221 Brickell Ave)
Miami Aventura (2875 NE 191 St, Suite 101)
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Processing
Phone1-800-377-0800
Mailing Address
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Estate Processing (696), PO Box 362708, San Juan, PR 00936-2708 (Puerto Rico accounts); Popular Bank Customer Care Center, P.O. Box 4906, Miami Lakes, FL 33014-8500 (mainland branch accounts); Popular Bank, Attn: Popular Direct Products, P.O. Box 4884, Miami Lakes, FL 33014 (Popular Direct online savings/CD accounts)
TeleBanco Popular (Puerto Rico)
Puerto Rico Estate Processing Direct
Puerto Rico Card Product Customer Service (credit-card-only decedents)
Popular Direct Customer Care Center (online savings/CD)
Verified Jul 2026
What happens to Popular Bank 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 Popular Bank's Popular Private Client Trust Services (1-800-377-0800) to claim the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting Popular Bank. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Popular Bank requires:
Filing a claim
1
Mainland Popular Bank (NY/NJ/FL): call 1-800-377-0800 or visit a branch to notify of the death. Under the deposit agreement you agree to notify the bank immediately of any account owner's or authorized signer's death; the bank processes a Death Notification Entry (DNE), may freeze the account, and may reverse and return federal benefit payments (Social Security, VA) and other debits posted after the date of death to the U.S. Treasury or originating institution. A notification letter is mailed to the owner's last known address (see the Personal Banking Disclosure Agreement, https://documents.popular.com/pdfs/PCB/PersonalBankingDisclosureAgreement.pdf)
2
Puerto Rico accounts (Banco Popular de Puerto Rico): call TeleBanco Popular at 787-724-3650 or Estate Processing at 787-724-3659; for credit-card-only decedents, notify Card Product Customer Service at 787-758-0505
3
Popular Direct online savings/CD accounts (populardirect.com): these are Popular Bank accounts but are serviced separately -- call the Popular Direct Customer Care Center at 1-800-274-5696 (Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. to midnight ET; Sat-Sun 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET) and mail documents to Popular Bank, Attn: Popular Direct Products, P.O. Box 4884, Miami Lakes, FL 33014. There is no branch access on a Popular Direct account. Under its own agreement (https://www.populardirect.com/terms/personal-banking-disclosure-2025.pdf) you must notify the bank immediately of an owner's death; the bank may freeze the account, refuse or reverse transactions, and return governmental benefit payments made after the death. Principal on a Popular Direct CD may be withdrawn without early-withdrawal penalty on the death of any owner
4
Accounts are frozen upon notification; the decedent's debit and credit cards, and those of any authorized user, stop working
5
Determine ownership and transfer path (mainland accounts, per the deposit agreement):
- Joint account with right of survivorship: all sums on the date of death vest in the surviving owner(s); the survivor presents a certified death certificate to update the account
- Single or Joint P.O.D. / Totten Trust account: the named payee/beneficiary presents a certified death certificate and valid photo ID for release of funds
- Single account with no POD/survivorship: the personal representative provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from a probate court
- CDs: principal may be withdrawn without early-withdrawal penalty on the death of any owner
- Fiduciary/trust accounts: the successor trustee provides an affidavit, Certificate of Trust, or excerpts of the trust agreement on the bank's request
6
Puerto Rico estate procedure (BPPR) at https://www.popular.com/en/estate-processing/ -- four request types (any or all may apply):
- Payment of Funeral Expenses: official check payable to the funeral home up to $15,000 of the decedent's deposited funds (not a reimbursement)
- Certification of Banking Relationships: complete Form BRA-1031A plus death certificate, requestor ID, and proof of heir/executor status (birth certificate, will + Certificate of Validity from the Registry of Powers and Wills, Resolution of Declaration of Heirs, or Letters Testamentary)
- Advance on Available Funds: up to $15,000 or 25% of available funds (whichever is greater), via Form BRA-1032A, before the Release of Inheritance is issued
- Liquidation of Funds: complete Form BRA-1032A plus death certificate, will + Certificate of Validity (or Declaration of Heirs if no will), and a Release of Inheritance if balances exceed $15,000 at the date of death
7
Puerto Rico small estates (BPPR): if total funds do not exceed $2,000, there is no will, and no Declaration of Heirs was obtained:
- Submit the Affidavit for Liquidation of Bank Accounts (Form BRA-028) in place of a Declaration of Heirs
- Include a Negative Certification of Will from the Registry of Powers and Wills
- If aggregate balances exceeded $15,000 at death, also provide the Lien Cancellation Certificate (Heir Release from the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury / Hacienda) with Annex A
8
Special circumstances (Puerto Rico):
- If minor heirs receive $2,000+, court authorization and birth certificate required
- For incapacitated heirs: guardian letters and court resolution required
- An heir who cannot attend disbursement may grant a Power of Attorney or Affidavit (with County Clerk Certificate or Apostille if executed outside Puerto Rico) authorizing another to receive and endorse the check
9
Final BPPR liquidation: the bank issues one official check payable to all heirs of the estate and joint owners, then closes the accounts. It does not make partial liquidations or divide inheritance shares
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for requestor (driver's license, passport, or Social Security card)
- Request for Certification of Banking Relationships (Form BRA-1031A) -- Puerto Rico accounts
- Requirements for Advancement or Disbursement form (Form BRA-1032A) -- Puerto Rico accounts
- Affidavit for Liquidation of Bank Accounts (Form BRA-028) with Negative Certification of Will -- Puerto Rico small estates ($2,000 or less, no will)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD designation)
- Testament with validity certification from Registry of Powers and Wills (Puerto Rico)
- Declaration of Heirs or Notarized Act of Declaration of Heirs (if no will, Puerto Rico)
- Release of Inheritance from Hacienda (Puerto Rico, if balances exceed $15,000 at death)
- Birth certificate (if minor heirs)
- Court authorization (if minor heirs receiving $2,000+)
- Guardian letters and court resolution (if incapacitated heirs)
What to know at this institution
Mainland Popular Bank (NY/NJ/FL) death claims are governed by the Personal Banking Disclosure Agreement (https://documents.popular.com/pdfs/PCB/PersonalBankingDisclosureAgreement.pdf): the bank processes a Death Notification Entry, may freeze the account, and reverses/returns federal benefit payments posted after death; joint accounts with right of survivorship vest in the survivor; POD accounts are held as "Totten Trust" designations; and CDs may be redeemed without early-withdrawal penalty on an owner's death. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (BPPR) uses civil law for estate administration, which differs from common-law states: an advance of up to $15,000 or 25% of total deposits (whichever is greater) is allowed before the Release of Inheritance; maximum funeral expense payment is $15,000 or available funds (whichever is less); small estates of $2,000 or less with no will can use Form BRA-028 (Affidavit for Liquidation of Bank Accounts) with a Negative Certification of Will. BPPR forms are submitted at any branch or mailed to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Estate Processing (696), PO Box 362708, San Juan, PR 00936-2708. Contact TeleBanco Popular at 787-724-3650 or Estate Processing at 787-724-3659 for Puerto Rico accounts.
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 Popular Bank of the borrower's death by calling Customer Service at 1-888-500-2612 or visiting a local branch
2
Submit required documentation:
- Deceased borrower's full legal name, date of death, and loan number
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Documentation proving your ownership interest in the property (probated will, court order, deed, or trust document)
- For Puerto Rico mortgages: testament with validity certification from Registry of Powers and Wills, or Declaration of Heirs if no will
3
Successor in Interest review and resolution:
- Popular Bank will review your documentation and confirm your status as a Successor in Interest
- Once confirmed, you will have access to loan information and can discuss options: continue making payments, apply for loss mitigation, assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance
4
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)
- Testament with validity certification from Registry of Powers and Wills (Puerto Rico)
- Declaration of Heirs or Notarized Act of Declaration of Heirs (if no will, Puerto Rico)
What to know at this institution
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), Popular Bank 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. Popular Mortgage (via Rate): 1-844-211-9098 or PopularBank@Rate.com. Puerto Rico mortgage inquiries: contact Banco Popular de Puerto Rico. Popular Private Client: 1-888-588-8419.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Popular Bank
Popular Bank asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist Popular Bank requires.
Build your letter of instructionExpected timelines at Popular Bank: Varies; Puerto Rico estates may take longer due to civil law requirements. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Popular Bank includes Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for requestor (driver's license, passport, or Social Security card), and Request for Certification of Banking Relationships (Form BRA-1031A) -- Puerto Rico accounts, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for branch accounts. You can retitle Popular Bank deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, CDs) to a revocable living trust. Visit a branch with your Certificate of Trust or trust agreement excerpts and government-issued ID for all trustees; the bank will retitle existing accounts or open new accounts under trust ownership. Allow 1-2 weeks. Popular Direct is the exception: its account agreement lists only Single (Individual), Joint with Right of Survivorship, and Single P.O.D. (Payable-on-Death) / Totten Trust ownership, so an online Popular Direct savings or CD account is not opened in the name of a trust. On a Popular Direct account, name the trust as the POD beneficiary instead, or hold the money in a branch-opened Popular Bank account titled to the trust.
Not the branch, and not Banco Popular de Puerto Rico. Popular Direct accounts are issued by Popular Bank but serviced separately and have no branch access: call the Popular Direct Customer Care Center at 1-800-274-5696 (Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to midnight ET; Saturday-Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET) and mail documents to Popular Bank, Attn: Popular Direct Products, P.O. Box 4884, Miami Lakes, FL 33014. Mainland branch accounts in New York, New Jersey, and South Florida go through 1-800-377-0800 or a branch; Puerto Rico accounts go through Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Estate Processing at 787-724-3659. One useful term for heirs: principal on a Popular Direct CD may be withdrawn without an early-withdrawal penalty on the death of any owner, so the estate does not have to wait out the term.
Yes. Popular Bank allows up to 3 individuals or 1 trust as POD beneficiaries per deposit account. You can add or update a POD beneficiary by logging into Popular Online Banking and sending a secure message (provide the last 4 digits of the account number plus beneficiary full name, address, date of birth, relationship, and SSN), or by visiting a branch in person with government-issued ID. Changes are processed within 1-3 business days. For a trust as beneficiary, provide the full trust name exactly as listed in the trust agreement.
Accounts are frozen upon notification of death, and the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico estate process (https://www.popular.com/en/estate-processing/) is form-driven rather than the mainland POD/Letters path. An advance of up to $15,000 or 25% of the available funds (whichever is greater) can be released before the Release of Inheritance is issued, and a funeral-expense check of up to $15,000 can be issued directly to the funeral home. Both run on Form BRA-1032A, "Requirements for Advancement or Disbursement of Deceased Customer Funds," which is publicly downloadable at https://documents.popular.com/pdfs/SERV/BRA-1032A.pdf and is presented at a branch. Puerto Rico is a civil-law jurisdiction, so instead of a probate court appointing a personal representative, heirs prove status with a will plus a Certificate of Validity from the Registry of Powers and Wills, or a Resolution of Declaration of Heirs if there is no will; if balances exceeded $15,000 at the date of death, a Release of Inheritance (lien cancellation) from Hacienda is also required. Estates of $2,000 or less with no will can instead use Form BRA-028 (Affidavit for Liquidation of Bank Accounts) with a Negative Certification of Will. BPPR issues one official check payable to all heirs and joint owners and closes the accounts; it does not make partial liquidations or divide inheritance shares. Contact TeleBanco Popular at 787-724-3650 or Estate Processing at 787-724-3659.
Under Popular Bank's Personal Banking Disclosure Agreement, you agree to notify the bank immediately of the death of any account owner or authorized signer. The bank processes a Death Notification Entry (DNE), may freeze the account, and may reverse and return any federal benefit payments (such as Social Security or VA benefits) and other debits posted after the date of death to the U.S. Treasury or the originating institution. A notification letter is mailed to the account owner's last known address. For a joint account with right of survivorship, the balance vests in the surviving owner(s) on the date of death; for a Payable-on-Death (Totten Trust) account, the named beneficiary claims the funds with a certified death certificate and photo ID. Call 1-800-377-0800 to begin. Puerto Rico accounts follow Banco Popular de Puerto Rico's separate BRA-form estate process.
Popular Bank's Death Claims / Estate Processing can be reached by phone at 1-800-377-0800 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Popular Bank accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Popular Private Client Trust Services can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Sources
Data sourced from Popular Bank primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
Phone1-800-377-0800
Mailing Address
Popular Bank Customer Care Center, P.O. Box 4906, Miami Lakes, FL 33014-8500
TTY/TDD
Popular Direct Customer Care Center (online savings/CD)
WebsiteLearn more→
Popular Private Client Trust Services
Phone1-888-588-8419
Puerto Rico Trust Department
NYC Headquarters (85 Broad St)
NYC Madison Avenue (285 Madison Ave)
NYC Columbus Avenue (730 Columbus Ave)
Miami Brickell (1221 Brickell Ave)
Miami Aventura (2875 NE 191 St, Suite 101)
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Processing
Phone1-800-377-0800
Mailing Address
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Estate Processing (696), PO Box 362708, San Juan, PR 00936-2708 (Puerto Rico accounts); Popular Bank Customer Care Center, P.O. Box 4906, Miami Lakes, FL 33014-8500 (mainland branch accounts); Popular Bank, Attn: Popular Direct Products, P.O. Box 4884, Miami Lakes, FL 33014 (Popular Direct online savings/CD accounts)
TeleBanco Popular (Puerto Rico)
Puerto Rico Estate Processing Direct
Puerto Rico Card Product Customer Service (credit-card-only decedents)
Popular Direct Customer Care Center (online savings/CD)
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Popular Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
