Overview
Huntington National Bank is a major regional bank headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, serving millions of customers across the Midwest and, following its February 2026 acquisition of Cadence Bank, the South and Southeast. When an account holder passes away, the estate representative must notify Huntington and follow their specific process to transfer or close accounts.
This guide covers Huntington's estate services department, the step-by-step notification process, required documents, and realistic timelines for different account types. Huntington operates in over 20 states, so state-specific probate requirements will affect your process.
Note on Cadence Bank: Huntington acquired Cadence Bank in February 2026. Systems conversion is expected to be completed by mid-2026. If you are handling a legacy Cadence Bank account, you can visit any Huntington branch or call the main Huntington support line for assistance.
This guide provides informational guidance only. It is not legal advice, and SwiftProbate is not a law firm. Laws and institutional procedures change — verify current requirements directly with Huntington and consider consulting a qualified attorney.
Notification Process
How to Notify Huntington of a Death
Step 1: Gather Initial Information
Before contacting Huntington, have the following ready:
- Decedent's full legal name and date of birth
- Date of death
- Social Security number
- Account numbers (if known)
- Your name and relationship to the decedent
- A certified copy of the death certificate
Step 2: Call the Estate Services Department
Huntington handles death notifications through their main customer service line, which will route you to the Survivor Support or Deceased Accounts team.
- Phone: (800) 480-2265
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM ET
What to expect: Select the option for "Customer Service" or say "Representative." Inform the agent you are reporting the death of an account holder. They will verify your identity and the decedent's information.
When you reach an agent, they will:
- Verify the decedent's identity
- Place a deceased flag on the account(s), which freezes automatic payments and online access
- Provide a case number or reference number — write this down
- Explain which documents are needed based on account type(s)
- Provide the specific mailing address for your case (this may vary by region)
Step 3: Submit Required Documents
You can submit documents by visiting a local branch (recommended for faster service) or by mail.
{Reference the requiredDocuments section}
Mail to:
Huntington National Bank
Attn: Estate Services / Survivor Support
P.O. Box 1558
Columbus, OH 43216
Note: Confirm this address with the phone agent, as some regions may use a different processing center.
Step 4: Wait for Processing
After Huntington receives your documents, expect:
- Acknowledgment letter: 5–7 business days
- Document review completion: 2–4 weeks
- Follow-up if additional documents needed: 2–3 weeks
Step 5: Receive Funds / Transfer Assets
Once all documents are approved:
- Joint accounts: Surviving owner gains full access immediately upon review.
- Beneficiary accounts: Funds are typically issued via check or transferred to a new Huntington account.
- Estate accounts: Funds are transferred to the estate's bank account once opened.
Required Documents
Documents Huntington Requires
The exact documents depend on account type, account value, and whether the estate is going through probate.
Always Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Certified death certificate | 1 certified copy (originals are usually returned) |
| Government-issued photo ID | Of the person claiming the account |
| Huntington estate claim form | Provided by the branch or mailed to you |
If There Is a Will (Testate Estate)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Letters Testamentary | Issued by the probate court — must be certified and dated within 60 days |
| Copy of the will | Certified or regular copy (depending on state) |
| EIN (Employer Identification Number) | For the estate, if opening an estate account |
If There Is No Will (Intestate Estate)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Letters of Administration | Issued by the probate court |
| EIN | For the estate |
Small Estate (Below Probate Threshold)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Small estate affidavit | State-specific form — check our state probate guides |
Beneficiary / POD / TOD Accounts
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Certified death certificate | Usually the only document needed |
| Beneficiary claim form | Provided by Huntington |
| Beneficiary's ID and tax information | W-9 form |
Trust Accounts
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Trust certification or abstract | Identifying the successor trustee |
| Successor trustee identification | Government-issued photo ID |
| Certified death certificate | Of the deceased trustee |
Account Types
How Huntington Handles Different Account Types
Joint Accounts (JTWROS)
The surviving joint owner typically needs only a certified death certificate to have the decedent's name removed. Funds remain accessible throughout, though the account may be briefly frozen for review.
Timeline: 1–5 business days
POD (Payable on Death) / TOD (Transfer on Death) Beneficiary Accounts
Named beneficiaries claim funds with a death certificate, ID, and beneficiary claim form. No probate required.
Timeline: 5–10 business days
Trust Accounts
The successor trustee provides a trust certification, death certificate, and ID. No probate required.
Timeline: 10–20 business days
Individual Accounts (Probate Required)
Accounts held solely in the decedent's name with no beneficiary designation require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court.
Timeline: 3–12+ months depending on probate
Retirement Accounts (IRA, 401(k))
Named beneficiaries complete an inherited IRA form and provide a death certificate. Distribution options depend on SECURE Act rules.
Timeline: 10–20 business days
Credit Cards and Loans
Huntington will freeze credit lines upon notification. Outstanding balances are an obligation of the estate, not family members (unless they were a co-signer).
Timeline: Settled during estate administration
State Considerations
How Your State Affects the Huntington Process
Huntington operates in over 20 states (including the former Cadence Bank footprint), but probate is governed by state law. Your state determines:
- Whether probate is required and how long it takes
- Small estate thresholds — estates below certain values can skip formal probate
- Community property rules — in community property states like Texas and Wisconsin
- Creditor claim periods — how long creditors have to file claims
Key State Variations
| State | Small Estate Threshold | Community Property? | Notable Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $35,000 ($100,000 for spouse) | No | "Relief from Administration" available |
| Michigan | $27,000 (adjusted annually) | No | Simplified probate for small estates |
| Texas | $75,000 | Yes | Muniment of Title option available |
| Florida | $75,000 | No | Summary Administration for small estates |
For detailed probate requirements, see our state and county probate guides.
Timelines
How Long Huntington Takes to Release Funds
| Account Type | Estimated Timeline | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Joint account | 1–5 business days | Just need death certificate |
| POD/TOD beneficiary | 5–10 business days | Beneficiary claim form + death cert |
| Trust account | 10–20 business days | Trust certification + death cert |
| Small estate affidavit | 4–8 weeks | Waiting period varies by state |
| Probate (simple estate) | 3–6 months | Depends on court processing time |
| Probate (complex estate) | 6–18+ months | Disputes, taxes, or multiple jurisdictions |
| Retirement accounts | 10–20 business days | Named beneficiary required |
Note: Visiting a local branch can significantly speed up the document verification process compared to mailing documents.
Tips & Pitfalls
Common Pitfalls and Tips
Do Not Withdraw Funds Before Notifying Huntington
Withdrawing funds via ATM or online transfer after the date of death can be considered fraud or theft from the estate.
Federal Benefit Payments Will Be Reclaimed
Social Security, VA, and other federal benefits deposited after death will be reclaimed by the government. Do not spend these funds.
FDIC Coverage Changes
For joint bank accounts, FDIC coverage drops from $500,000 to $250,000 when a joint owner dies. There is a 6-month grace period to restructure accounts.
Keep Records of All Communications
- Save the case number from your initial call
- Send documents via certified mail with return receipt
- Note the name of every representative you speak with
- Keep copies of all documents submitted
Request Multiple Certified Death Certificates
Order at least 5–10 certified copies — you'll need them for other institutions, the court, and government agencies.
Automatic Payments and Direct Deposits
Once the deceased flag is placed:
- Automatic payments will be declined
- Direct deposits will be returned
- Online/mobile banking will be disabled
Notify billers and payers separately.