How Do I Open an Estate Account at First Savings?
First Savings opens estate accounts for a court-appointed executor or administrator. The documents it asks for, what the account costs, and the steps it lists are below.
Opening an estate account at First Savings
Where to open it
Not published by First Savings
Documents to bring
- Court order appointing the fiduciary
- Written trust agreement, where the account is opened by a trustee
What it costs
First Savings does not state the opening deposit, monthly fee, or fee-waiver balance for an estate account.
- Other waivers
- Estate accounts are excluded from both current switch bonus offers
- Schedule that applies
- Not stated for estate accounts; Personal Banking Fees (effective February 16, 2026) or Business Banking Fees (effective April 1, 2026)
- For estate accounts
- Promotional terms only: both current Michigan switch offers (personal Prosper / Prosper Plus and Basic Business Checking) are "not valid for Public Funds, Estate accounts, U.S. Government entities, other banks, or financial institutions", so an estate account earns neither opening bonus
- Other charges
- Dormant account fee $5.00 per month (personal) or $6.00 (business); early closing fee $50.00 if closed within 180 days of opening; account closing by mail $15.00 personal, $30.00 business
| Account | To open | Monthly fee | Waiver or condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prosper | $10 | $500 monthly direct deposit or $1,000 in combined personal deposit balances | |
| Prosper Plus | $25 | $1,500 monthly direct deposit or $20,000 in combined personal deposit balances | |
| First Direct | $10 | $200 monthly direct deposit | |
| Simple Access | $4 | ||
| Regular Savings | $5 | $300 minimum balance or eStatement enrollment | |
| Money Market Savings | $1,000 | $10 | $10,000 minimum balance |
| Relationship Money Market Savings | $1,000 | $25 | $20,000 minimum balance |
| Smart Saver CD | $25 | ||
| Traditional CD | $1,000 (terms of 12 months or more) or $2,500 (shorter terms) | ||
| Health Savings Account | $0 | $5 | |
| First Business Checking | $100 | $0 | |
| IOLTA Checking | $100 | $0 | |
| Basic Business Checking | $100 | $20 | $5,000 monthly average collected balance |
| Business Interest Checking | $100 | $20 | $7,500 monthly average collected balance |
| Enhanced Small Business Checking | $100 | $40 | $25,000 monthly average collected balance |
| Commercial Checking | $100 | Varying account-analysis charge | |
| Business Savings | $100 | $5 | $300 monthly average collected balance |
| Money Market Savings (business) | $1,000 | $10 | $10,000 monthly average collected balance |
| Thriving Business Money Market | $1,000 | $10 | $10,000 monthly average collected balance |
What to know at First Savings
First Savings Bank merged into First Merchants Bank on February 1, 2026, so estate accounts open at First Merchants, whose consumer Terms and Conditions permit accounts opened by executors, administrators, or conservators under court orders. First Merchants takes no duty to monitor or enforce the letters and is not responsible for a fiduciary's misuse of funds. Its setoff right does not reach an account held only in a representative capacity.
Not in First Savings's published guidance
- Whether a branch appointment is needed
- Whether every co-executor must sign or appear
- Whether the estate's EIN is needed before opening
- Whether the deceased must have banked there
- Whether an out-of-state executor can open one
- Whether the death certificate must be a certified copy
- What proof of the EIN it accepts
- Whether the account comes with online banking, checks, a debit card, or mobile deposit
- How the deceased's balances reach the estate account
General information about each bank's published estate-account requirements, not legal or banking advice. Requirements vary by state and account type. Consult the institution for its current requirements. Data verified Sep 17, 2026
First Savings's published guidance does not state whether an estate account can be opened online.
First Savings asks for: Court order appointing the fiduciary; Written trust agreement, where the account is opened by a trustee.
First Savings does not state the opening deposit, monthly fee, or fee-waiver balance for an estate account. Promotional terms only: both current Michigan switch offers (personal Prosper / Prosper Plus and Basic Business Checking) are "not valid for Public Funds, Estate accounts, U.S. Government entities, other banks, or financial institutions", so an estate account earns neither opening bonus. First Savings's 19 published accounts are listed above with their fees and waivers; the estate account carries the fees of the account it is opened as.
An estate account is a bank account titled to the estate itself — not to the person who died and not to the executor personally. The court-appointed executor or administrator opens it to deposit money owed to the estate (final paychecks, refunds, proceeds from closed accounts), pay the estate's debts and expenses, and distribute what remains. Checks made out to "the Estate of" can only be deposited into an account titled this way.
The estate is its own taxpayer, separate from the person who died. Banks open estate accounts under the estate's Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, not the deceased's Social Security Number. The free EIN application prepares IRS Form SS-4 for the estate.
Sources
Data sourced from First Savings primary sources (9 pages reviewed). How we research.
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Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
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.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
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 Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor can charge for administering an estate.
Can I Self-File Probate?
Whether your state lets you open probate yourself, and what it costs with a lawyer and without one.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
See the court, petition, bond, and documents needed to be appointed and receive your Letters.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
Find creditor claim deadlines, notice requirements, and payment priority order for your state.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
See the order your state pays an insolvent estate's debts and which claims go unpaid.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
