What to do when an U.S. Bank account holder dies
Report the death to U.S. Bank's Life Events Team at 1-800-872-2657
When an account holder at U.S. 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 U.S. Bank's Life Events Team (1-800-872-2657) to access and distribute the funds.
To start, call U.S. Bank at 1-800-872-2657. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate ready before you call.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
The death claim process at U.S. Bank works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Call 800-USBANKS (872-2657) or visit a local U.S. Bank branch. Relay calls are accepted.
- Have the date of death, the account information if available, and your relationship to the account holder ready.
- Set up an appointment with your local branch.
Required Documents
- Death certificateOriginal or certified.
- Bank account informationPast statements or letters.
- Documents that show your authority over the deceased person's financial affairsExamples are probate documentation, a small estate affidavit/collection of personal property, executor paperwork, representative paperwork, letters of testamentary, or trust documents.
- A valid form of identificationOne of: state driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, or U.S. alien registration card.
What happens to each kind of account5
- Account in one name
An account in one name creates no survivorship rights. The agreement says that "in almost all instances this type of account will pass, on the death of the owner, through the estate of the owner."1
- Joint account with survivorship
The surviving joint tenant has complete withdrawal rights to the balance of the account. If more than one joint tenant survives, they remain joint tenants with right of survivorship.1
A security interest or pledge on the account in favor of someone else must be satisfied or released before a surviving joint tenant can withdraw, unless U.S. Bank agrees otherwise in a separate writing.1
- Joint account without survivorship
On a Tenancy in Common account, each tenant can withdraw the entire balance until U.S. Bank receives notice of a death. After the death and that notice, the deceased owner's equal share is set aside for the estate.1
- Payable-on-death account
On a Pay-on-Death account (also titled "In Trust For" or "Totten Trust"), the beneficiary can withdraw the entire balance on proof of the creator's death and of identity as the named beneficiary. Surviving beneficiaries take equal shares; one who dies before the creator takes nothing.1
A security interest or pledge on the account in favor of someone else must be satisfied or released before a beneficiary can withdraw, unless U.S. Bank agrees otherwise in a separate writing.1
- Fiduciary account
A fiduciary account is one opened or taken over by an executor, administrator, personal representative, trustee or other fiduciary. The fiduciary is solely responsible for acting under the will, court order or trust instrument; U.S. Bank does not examine or ensure compliance with it.1
State requirements U.S. Bank statesWisconsin, Arizona, Missouri
- Wisconsin
On a Wisconsin Marital Account with P.O.D. beneficiaries, the surviving spouse owns 50% of the funds and the P.O.D. beneficiary named by the deceased spouse, if then surviving, owns the other 50%. The account has to be retitled.1
- Arizona
On an Arizona Joint Account with Survivorship, if more than one joint tenant survives and one is the deceased owner's spouse, the deceased owner's share belongs to the surviving spouse. Withdrawal rights do not change.1
- Missouri
In Missouri, adding LDPS (lineal descendants, per stirpes) to a Revocable Trust or Pay-on-Death account passes a beneficiary's share, if that beneficiary dies before the owner, to the beneficiary's lineal descendants per stirpes.1
State law on paying a balance without letters5 states
- Kentucky
Directs a bank to pay up to $2,500 on an order of the courtKRS 391.030(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- New Mexico
Permits a bank to pay up to $2,000 on proof the institution acceptsNMSA 1978 § 58-1-8Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Oregon
Permits a bank to pay up to $25,000 on an affidavitORS 708A.430Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Tennessee
Permits a bank to pay up to $15,000 on proof the institution acceptsT.C.A. § 45-2-708Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceT.C.A. § 45-2-708
Permits a bank to pay up to $10,000 on proof the institution acceptsT.C.A. § 30-2-103(b)(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceT.C.A. § 30-2-103(b)(2)
- Washington
Permits a bank to pay up to $2,500 on an affidavitRCW 30A.22.190(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceRCW 30A.22.190(2)
Permits a bank to pay on an affidavit; the section sets no dollar limitRCW 30A.22.190(1)Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceRCW 30A.22.190(1)
Accounts handled elsewhere2
- U.S. Bank, Attn: Successor in Interest
Updating the Successor in Interest for a mortgage2
Phone: 1-800-365-7772
Fax: 1-877-903-6972
Mailing address: U.S. Bank, Attn: Successor in Interest, PO Box 21948, Eagan, MN 55121
- U.S. Bank Wealth Management
Customer service for U.S. Bank Wealth Management and U.S. Bancorp Advisors clients3
Phone: 1-844-330-6918
What U.S. Bank's agreement and guidance say4
- Powers of attorney
An agency on the account, such as an attorney-in-fact, ends when the owner dies and U.S. Bank has actual knowledge of the death and a reasonable opportunity to act on it. With more than one owner, it ends after the death of the last owner.1
- Telling the institution
No change in owners or authorized signers is effective until U.S. Bank has received written notice of the change and had adequate time to approve and act on it.1
- Disputes between claimants
If a dispute arises over the account, such as who is an owner or authorized signer, or a third party claims its funds, U.S. Bank may hold any portion of the account until the dispute or claim is resolved to its satisfaction.1
- Debts owed to the institution
U.S. Bank may set off debts owed to it or its affiliates against the account. Its contractual right of setoff does not apply to an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement account, or to a debt created under a consumer credit card plan.1
Sources3
- 1.Your Deposit Account Agreement, Effective August 10, 2026
- 2.How do I update a Successor in Interest for a mortgage? (KB0213723)
- 3.Wealth management: Contact us
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.
- Write a brief explanation of the situation.
- Mail it to U.S. Bank, Attn: Successor in Interest, PO Box 21948, Eagan, MN 55121, or fax it to 877-903-6972.
- For questions, call 800-365-7772, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. Relay calls are accepted.
Required Documents
- Documentation showing ownership of the homeSuch as a Certificate of Trust or Beneficiary Deed.
- Current copy of the Deed Record with the county
- Death certificate, if the owner has passed away
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-365-7772
Fax: 1-877-903-6972
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-8:00 PM CT; Saturday 8:00 AM-2:00 PM CT
Mailing address: U.S. Bank, Attn: Successor in Interest, PO Box 21948, Eagan, MN 55121
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
U.S. Bank updates the Successor in Interest on a mortgage from a written request with a brief explanation of the situation.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
Not in U.S. Bank's published guidance1
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
Frequently asked questions
Under Your Deposit Account Agreement, if a named beneficiary dies before the account owner, neither that beneficiary's estate nor their heirs receive anything, and the balance is split equally among the beneficiaries who are still living, with no survivorship rights between them. The one stated exception is Missouri: adding LDPS (lineal descendants, per stirpes) to a Revocable Trust or Pay-on-Death account there passes a predeceased beneficiary's share to that beneficiary's lineal descendants. U.S. Bank treats "In Trust For," Totten trust and "Revocable Trust" deposit accounts the same as POD accounts, so the same rule applies to them. Designations are updated by calling 800-872-2657 or visiting a branch.
U.S. Bank updates the Successor in Interest from a written request with a brief explanation of the situation, sent to U.S. Bank, Attn: Successor in Interest, PO Box 21948, Eagan, MN 55121, or by fax to 877-903-6972; the phone number is 800-365-7772. Include documentation showing ownership of the home, such as a Certificate of Trust or Beneficiary Deed, a current copy of the Deed Record with the county, and the death certificate if the owner has passed away.
U.S. Bank's Life Events Team can be reached by phone at 1-800-872-2657 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from U.S. Bank primary sources (28 pages reviewed). How we research.
U.S. Bank death claims support
Life Events Team
Phone
Website
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