What to do when a Westamerica Bank account holder dies
Contact Westamerica Bank's Westamerica Bank Investment Management and Trust Services — 5-step process, 7 required documents, and 5-10 business days after all documentation is received, though complex estates may take longer
Phone1-800-848-1088
Mailing Address
Westamerica Bank, PO Box 1180, Suisun City, CA 94585-1180
WebsiteLearn more→
Westamerica Bank Investment Management and Trust Services
Phone(916) 449-8336
Toll-Free1-800-359-7562
Mailing Address
Westamerica Bank Trust Services, PO Box 1240, Suisun City, CA 94585-1240
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-848-1088
Mailing Address
Westamerica Bank, PO Box 1180, Suisun City, CA 94585-1180
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
When a Westamerica Bank account holder 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 Westamerica Bank's Westamerica Bank Investment Management and Trust Services (1-800-848-1088) to access and distribute the funds.
Westamerica Bank offers an online claims portal that makes the initial filing process more straightforward. Survivors can also initiate claims by phone or by mailing documentation directly.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Westamerica Bank:
Filing a claim
1
Notify Westamerica Bank of the account holder's death by visiting a local branch or calling 1-800-848-1088
2
Gather required documentation:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant
3
Choose the appropriate settlement path:
- For accounts with POD beneficiary: provide the death certificate and beneficiary ID to claim funds directly
- For joint accounts with right of survivorship: provide the death certificate; surviving owner retains access to the account
- For accounts without beneficiary or survivorship: obtain Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or a Small Estate Affidavit from the court and provide along with the executor or administrator's ID
4
If needed, open an estate account at a Westamerica Bank branch to manage estate proceeds and pay bills
5
Westamerica Bank will review submitted documentation and process the claim
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or administrator)
- Account information for the deceased (account numbers if available)
- For accounts without beneficiary: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the court
- For small estates: Small Estate Affidavit as permitted under California Probate Code Section 13100 (gross estate value of $208,850 or less for deaths on or after April 1, 2025)
- For trust accounts: trust documentation including successor trustee provisions and trustee ID
- For IRA accounts: IRA beneficiary claim forms and applicable distribution election forms
What to know at this institution
Visiting a local branch is the most direct way to initiate the estate settlement process. A Westamerica Bank branch team member can help open an estate account if needed to manage proceeds and pay estate obligations. California community property laws may affect the disposition of jointly held or community property assets. For trust-related estate matters, Westamerica Bank's Investment Management and Trust Services department can provide trust administration services; contact the Trust Department at (916) 449-8336 or 1-800-359-7562.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Westamerica Bank
Westamerica Bank accepts a claimant-drafted letter of instruction. We draft it for you — addressed to Westamerica Bank's verified claims department, with the documents it requires enclosed.
Build your letter of instructionExpected timelines at Westamerica Bank: 5-10 business days after all documentation is received, though complex estates may take longer. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Westamerica Bank includes Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or administrator), and Account information for the deceased (account numbers if available), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
When an account holder with a POD (Payable on Death) designation dies, the named beneficiary can claim the account funds by visiting a Westamerica Bank branch with a certified copy of the death certificate and a valid government-issued photo ID. POD accounts bypass the probate process and pass directly to the named beneficiary.
Visit any Westamerica Bank branch with a valid government-issued photo ID and request to add or update POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designations. You can also call 1-800-848-1088 (available 5 am to midnight, 7 days a week) to request the appropriate form by mail. Provide each beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, relationship, and allocation percentages. Trusts named as beneficiaries may require a copy of the Certification of Trust.
Under California Probate Code Section 13100, estates with a gross value of $208,850 or less (for deaths on or after April 1, 2025) may qualify for the Small Estate Affidavit process, which allows heirs to claim account funds without full probate. This inflation-adjusted figure is set by Judicial Council form DE-300 and is scheduled to next adjust on April 1, 2028. Visit a Westamerica Bank branch with a certified copy of the death certificate, your government-issued photo ID, and the Small Estate Affidavit to begin the claim process.
Westamerica Bank's Westamerica Bank Investment Management and Trust Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-848-1088 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Westamerica Bank accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Westamerica Bank Investment Management and Trust Services can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Sources
Data sourced from Westamerica Bank primary sources (12 pages reviewed). How we research.
Phone1-800-848-1088
Mailing Address
Westamerica Bank, PO Box 1180, Suisun City, CA 94585-1180
WebsiteLearn more→
Westamerica Bank Investment Management and Trust Services
Phone(916) 449-8336
Toll-Free1-800-359-7562
Mailing Address
Westamerica Bank Trust Services, PO Box 1240, Suisun City, CA 94585-1240
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-848-1088
Mailing Address
Westamerica Bank, PO Box 1180, Suisun City, CA 94585-1180
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
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