What to do when a Simmons Bank account holder dies
Report the death to Simmons Bank at 1-866-246-2400
When an account holder at Simmons Bank passes away, the next step depends on how the accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with Simmons Bank to access and distribute the funds.
To start, call Simmons Bank. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate ready before you call.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Simmons Bank:
Filing a claim
- General banking questions: 1-866-246-2400 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon CT)
- A Simmons Bank branch
- Mail: Simmons Bank Customer Service Center, P.O. Box 7009, Pine Bluff, AR 71611
Required Documents
- Court order appointing the executor or administratorThe account terms name executors and administrators "under court orders".
What happens to each kind of account4
- Joint account with survivorship
When an owner of a "Joint Account With Survivorship" dies, the funds belong to the surviving owner or owners.1
- Payable-on-death account
Beneficiaries cannot withdraw until all persons who created the account have died, and must be living when the last of them dies. Surviving beneficiaries own the account in equal shares, with right of survivorship.1
- Fiduciary account
An account "may be opened and maintained by a person or persons named ... as executors, administrators, or conservators under court orders".1, 2
- Certificate of deposit
"In certain circumstances such as the death or incompetence of an owner of this account, the law permits, or in some cases requires, the waiver of the early withdrawal penalty."1
State law on paying a balance without lettersTennessee, Texas
- Tennessee
T.C.A. § 45-2-708
Tennessee law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on proof the institution accepts, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.T.C.A. § 45-2-708Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $15,000 held at the institution
When: 30 days after the death
Paid to: the executor named in any will known to the institution; in the absence of knowledge of a purported will naming a surviving executor: a creditor for expenses of the funeral; a creditor for the expenses of the last illness; the surviving spouse; the next of kin
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
T.C.A. § 30-2-103(b)(2)
Tennessee law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on proof the institution accepts, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.T.C.A. § 30-2-103(b)(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $10,000 held at the institution
When: six (6) months have passed since the decedent's death without an application being made for the appointment of a personal representative
Paid to: the surviving spouse of a decedent or a trust for the benefit of the surviving spouse; if no surviving spouse exists, the surviving children of the decedent as tenants in common or a trust for the benefit of any surviving children (in that order)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
- Texas
Tex. Est. Code § 152.051
Texas law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an order of the court, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Tex. Est. Code § 152.051Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: a funeral home or the applicant, for funeral and burial expenses
Limit: $5,000 in total from every holder
When: the application may be filed "not earlier than the third day after the date of the decedent's death and not later than nine months after the date of the decedent's death"
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Simmons Bank Private Wealth
Estate administration, serving as executor or personal representative3
What Simmons Bank's agreement and guidance say5
- Telling the institution
"You agree to notify us promptly if any person with a right to withdraw funds from your account(s) dies."1, 2
- Payments after the death
Simmons may continue to honor checks and instructions until it knows of the death and has had a reasonable opportunity to act.1, 2
Simmons "may pay or certify checks drawn on or before the date of death ... for up to ten (10) days after your death ... unless ordered to stop payment by someone claiming an interest in the account."1, 2
- Powers of attorney
A power of attorney is automatically terminated by the death of the owner.1
- Disputes between claimants
If others claim an interest as survivors or beneficiaries of an account, Simmons may freeze the account or place a hold on it until a legal proceeding determines the claim or it receives evidence satisfactory to it that the dispute has been resolved.1
- Deposits after the death
If Simmons must reimburse the federal government for a benefit payment directly deposited into the account, it may deduct that amount "from the account or from any other account you have with us, without prior notice and at any time."1
Not in Simmons Bank's published guidance3
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A claim form
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.
- Simmons Bank Loan Operations, P.O. Box 7009, Pine Bluff, AR 71611
- Include the name, contact information and mortgage loan account number
- Simmons acknowledges a written request within 5 business days and generally responds within 30 business days
- A request about a failure to provide an accurate payoff balance is answered within 7 business days
- Email: Loss.MitigationGroup@simmonsbank.com
- Mail: Simmons Bank, Attn: Loss Mitigation Dept., 601 E. 3rd Street, 6th Floor, Little Rock, AR 72201
- Fax: 501-223-4343
- Questions: 1-877-876-3500 (option 3); a representative makes contact within 5 business days
Required Documents
- A written request with the name, contact information and mortgage loan account number
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-866-246-2400
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-6:00 PM CT; Saturday 8:00 AM-noon CT
Mailing address: Simmons Bank Loan Operations, P.O. Box 7009, Pine Bluff, AR 71611
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 Simmons Bank's published guidance1
- A procedure for reporting a death
- Simmons Bank Loan Administration, P.O. Box 7009, Pine Bluff, AR 71611
Required Documents
- A written request identifying the line of credit
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-866-246-2400
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-6:00 PM CT; Saturday 8:00 AM-noon CT
Mailing address: Simmons Bank Loan Administration, P.O. Box 7009, Pine Bluff, AR 71611
Not in Simmons Bank's published guidance1
- A procedure for reporting a death
Sources
(1)·
Data sourced from Simmons Bank primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.
Simmons Bank death claims support
General Banking Questions
Phone
24-Hour Telephone Banking
Consumer Credit Cards (24-hour service)
Lost or stolen debit cards (during office hours)
Mortgage payment assistance questions
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Simmons Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
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Notice to Creditors
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