Stellar Bank
Subsidiary of Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (successor to Stellar Bancorp, Inc.)
stellar.bankWhat to do when a Stellar Bank account holder dies
Report the death to Stellar Bank at 1-713-499-1800
Stellar Bank is now part of Prosperity BankAcquired, effective July 2026
Stellar Bank merged into Prosperity Bank effective July 1, 2026. Stellar banking centers continue to operate under the Stellar Bank name until the operational conversion scheduled for March 2027.
When an account holder at Stellar 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 Stellar Bank to access and distribute the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting Stellar Bank.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Stellar Bank:
Filing a claim
What happens to each kind of account2
State law on paying a balance without lettersTexas
- 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.
What Stellar Bank's agreement and guidance say1
- Accounts from a merged institution
Stellar Bank merged into Prosperity Bank on July 1, 2026. Stellar account numbers and account terms stay the same until the operational conversion scheduled for March 2027.1
Not in Stellar Bank's published guidance4
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A list of required documents
- How long a claim takes
- A mailing address for claim documents
Sources1
Sources
Data sourced from Stellar Bank primary sources (14 pages reviewed). How we research.
Stellar Bank death claims support
Customer Service
Phone
Debit Card Support and Bank By Phone
Cancel Lost/Stolen Debit or ATM Card
Debit Card Fraud and Non-Fraud Disputes
Customer Complaints
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Stellar Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
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.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
