What to do when a Rockland Trust account holder dies
Report the death to Rockland Trust's Customer Information Center at 1-508-732-7072
What happens to Rockland Trust 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 Rockland Trust's Customer Information Center (1-508-732-7072) to claim the funds.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
The death claim process at Rockland Trust works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Massachusetts residents: 508.732.7072
- Outside Massachusetts: 1.800.222.2299
- Business accounts: 508.732.7078
- Call 508.732.7072 or write to Rockland Trust, ATTN: Deposit Services, 288 Union Street, Rockland, MA 02370.
- The bank must receive the request three business days or more before the payment is scheduled.
- After a call, the bank may require the request in writing within fourteen days.
- A request made in a branch or by telephone and not confirmed in writing is valid for fourteen calendar days.
- Confirmed in writing within that period, it is valid for six months and can be renewed.
What happens to each kind of account5
- Payable-on-death account
On the death of the trustee or of both trustees of an unwritten ("Totten") trust deposit account, all the funds are owned in equal shares by the persons then living who are named as beneficiaries, or their legal representatives. The funds are not inherited by the heirs or controlled by the will.1
The bank has no obligation to notify a beneficiary of an unwritten ("Totten") trust account that the account exists.1
- Joint account with survivorship
A joint deposit account is held "with the right of survivorship, and not as tenants in common," so the funds belong to the surviving owner or owners.1
On a joint CD: "Upon the death of any joint account holder, the funds in the account will pass to the surviving account holders".2
- Trust account
A written-trust deposit account is governed by the trust documents under which it was opened. The bank relies on the certification of trust.1
- Certificate of deposit
If the depositor has died, the bank will honor a request for withdrawal before maturity without penalty.2
- IRA
An IRA CD is governed by the Individual Retirement Custodial Agreement.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersMassachusetts
- Massachusetts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 167D, § 12
Massachusetts law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on proof the institution accepts, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 167D, § 12Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $10,000 held at the institution
When: after the expiration of 30 days from the death of such depositor
Paid to: the surviving spouse of said deceased depositor; if there be no surviving spouse, the next of kin of such deceased (in that order)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Rockland Trust Investment Management Group
Estate settlement services, including professional probate administration; serves as personal representative of estates3
What Rockland Trust's agreement and guidance say3
- Payments after the death
The bank may continue to accept, pay or collect items until it knows of the death. Even with that knowledge it may, for ten days after the date of death, pay debit transactions initiated or drawn on or before the date of death unless ordered to stop payment.1
- Telling the institution
The agreement treats a notice given to the bank as effective only once it is actually received.1
- Accounts from a merged institution
Enterprise Bank and Trust Company merged into Rockland Trust effective July 1, 2025, so an account opened at Enterprise Bank is handled by Rockland Trust.4
Not in Rockland Trust's published guidance5
- A claim form
- A list of required documents
- An online way to report a death
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- Individual Retirement Custodial Agreement
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 the Customer Service Department at 508.732.7072 (Customer Information Center hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)
- Or write to Rockland Trust Loan Servicing, P.O. Box 32, Middleboro, MA 02346-0032
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-508-732-7072
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-8:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Mailing address: Rockland Trust Loan Servicing, P.O. Box 32, Middleboro, MA 02346-0032
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
Not in Rockland Trust's published guidance2
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A list of required documents
Rockland Trust's Customer Information Center can be reached by phone at 1-508-732-7072 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Rockland Trust primary sources (17 pages reviewed). How we research.
Rockland Trust death claims support
Customer Information Center
Phone
Customer Support, outside Massachusetts
Business Banking
Hours
Website
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