What to do when a Synovus account holder dies
Report the death to Synovus Client Care at 1-888-796-6887
Synovus is now part of Pinnacle BankAcquired, effective January 2026
Synovus Bank merged into Pinnacle Bank on January 2, 2026, with Pinnacle Bank as the surviving bank. Synovus banking products are now provided by Pinnacle Bank, a Tennessee bank, dba Synovus Bank, and the Synovus brand continues until it consolidates under the Pinnacle brand in early 2027.
What happens to Synovus 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 Synovus Client Care (1-888-796-6887) to claim the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting Synovus.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Synovus:
Filing a claim
- Your valid ID, such as a state-issued driver's license or ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID
- Proof of death, such as certified copies of the death certificate
- The deceased's full legal name, Social Security number, and the bank account number
- Surviving joint owner (JWROS) or payable-on-death beneficiary: visit the bank with a valid ID and a certified copy of the death certificate to access the account
- Successor trustee of a living trust that owns the account: notify the bank that the initial trustee has died and complete the bank's forms
- Successor trustee: provide a certified copy of the death certificate and a copy of the Certificate of Trust naming the successor trustee
- Executor named in the will: produce proof of executor status and a certified copy of the death certificate before the bank gives access to the account
- No will, or no executor named: present the probate court's Letter of Testamentary (will without a named executor) or Letter of Administration (no will) with the death certificate to close the account
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificateSynovus's guide lists "Proof of death, such as certified copies of the death certificate".
- Your valid IDSuch as a state-issued driver's license or ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID.
- The deceased's full legal name, Social Security number, and bank account number
- Proof of executor status, if you are named as executor in the will
- Letter of Testamentary or Letter of Administration from the probate court, if there is no will or no named executor
- Copy of the Certificate of Trust naming the successor trustee, if you are the successor trustee of a living trust that owns the account
What happens to each kind of account2
- Account in one name
Under Synovus's deposit terms for Alabama, Florida and South Carolina customers, at the death of a single owner with no pay-on-death designation, ownership passes as part of the owner's estate.1
- Certificate of deposit
The fee schedule states that in certain circumstances, such as the death of an account owner, the law permits, or in some cases requires, waiver of a CD's early withdrawal penalty.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersFlorida, Georgia, Tennessee
- Florida
Fla. Stat. § 735.303
Florida law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit made under oath, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Fla. Stat. § 735.303Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: family member (surviving spouse; else adult child; else adult descendant; else parent)
Limit: $2,000 held at the institution and $2,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 6 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.
- Georgia
O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239
Georgia law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: the surviving spouse; else the children; else the father and mother; else the brothers and sisters (subsection (b))
Limit: $15,000 held at the institution
Paid to: providers of funeral services and of services for the last illness (subsection (c))
Limit: $15,000 held at the institution
When: if no application for the deposit is made by any person named in subsection (b) of this Code section within 45 days from the death of the intestate depositor
The section applies where the person died without a will. The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
- 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.
What Synovus's agreement and guidance say1
- Powers of attorney
A power of attorney ends at the principal's death and cannot be used to close the account. The agent must be named executor or petition to become administrator.3
Not in Synovus's published guidance1
- A small-estate procedure
Sources3
- 1.Understanding Your Deposit Account, 02/2022
- 2.Fee schedule, effective 01/02/2026
- 3.How to Close a Bank Account When Someone Dies
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.
- Notification that a borrower is deceased, successor-in-interest requests and consent to transfer title or assumption are handled as borrower-information requests by phone
- Synovus gives the documentation required for the specific request on that call
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-803-0803
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM CT (federal holidays excluded)
Mailing address: Synovus, Attn: Customer Service – MS-130, 800 Shades Creek Parkway, Birmingham, Alabama 35209
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
A title transfer to a direct family member may be requested by calling Customer Service. Title generally cannot be transferred to an unrelated third party, LLC, corporation or partnership.1
Without the bank's consent to a title transfer, the loan may be required to be paid in full or the property transferred back to the original owner.1
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
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Synovus mortgage hardship and loss mitigation
Mortgage hardship and loss mitigation1
Phone: 1-800-346-7918
Not in Synovus's published guidance1
- A list of required documents
Sources1
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-888-796-6887
Not in Synovus's published guidance2
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A list of required documents
Synovus Client Care can be reached by phone at 1-888-796-6887 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Synovus primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
Synovus death claims support
Synovus Client Care
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