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We are here for you.

We understand that losing someone can be a very difficult experience, and we're here to support you. We'll stand with you and help manage your loved one’s financial matters with clarity and respect.

General steps of the process

These steps will help you navigate the essential banking procedures after losing a loved one.

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Required steps for the bank after a notification of death:

  • Once the notification is made, the funds in the deceased’s accounts will be frozen to prevent unauthorized withdrawals or transactions.
  • The credit cards of the deceased, as well as those of any cardholder or authorized user, will stop working.
  • Any government benefits that the deceased received in their accounts, such as Social Security or retirement pension funds, will stop and/or be returned to the appropriate agency.

If the deceased only held credit card accounts:

  • Notify us of the loss by presenting the death certificate at your preferred branch or by calling the Card Product Customer Service at 787-758-0505.
  • The credit cards of the deceased, as well as those of any cardholder or authorized user, will stop working.
  • If you want to receive account statements, complete the Certification of Banking Relationships of Deceased Customers Form at your preferred branch. Then, request the statements by calling the Card Product Customer Service at 787-758-0505.

Types of Requests

You can complete one or serveral of the four requests, as applicable.

Payment for Funeral Expenses

An official check made payable to the funeral home to cover costs up to $15,000. The amount will be deducted from the deceased’s funds held at Popular. Only one heir, account co-owner, or authorized representative may collect the check; it is not a reimbursement.

Certification of Banking Relationship

It verifies the balances of the deceased’s accounts with Popular, including a list of assets and debts.

Advance on Available Funds

It allows you to request an advance of up to $15,000 (or 25% of the available funds). If you have already requested a disbursement for funeral expenses, that amount will be deducted from the total advance.

Liquidation of Funds

It allows access to the funds available in the deceased’s accounts. The funds will be fully disbursed according to the established requirements.

Is the estate liquidation for $2,000 or less?

The Affidavit for the Liquidation of Bank Accounts may be an alternative for requesting the liquidation of funds without a Declaration of Heirs if all of the following conditions apply:

  • The deceased did not leave a will.
  • The total funds do not exceed $2,000.
  • The estate has not obtained or started the process to obtain a Declaration of Heirs.

The Affidavit must identify all heirs of the deceased.

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Get direct guidance from our team whenever you need it. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Call TeleBanco Popular® at 787-724-3659.

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Find more answers:

  • You can request an advance from the Bank to cover funeral expenses.

    Requirements to request processing:

      • Death Certificate (original or copy).
      • Funeral Expenses Invoice. 

    The Bank will issue an official check payable to the funeral home for the amount billed or up to the maximum permitted by law ($15,000) of the funds deposited at Banco Popular and any heir or representative of the succession can collect the check; it is not a refund.

  • This certification contains information on the deceased’s banking and/or financial relationships with Banco Popular.

    To request it, in addition to the Death Certificate and a Copy of the Requestor’s Identification, you must complete the Request for Certification of Banking Relationships of Deceased Customers Form (BRA-1031A) and provide one of the following documents:

    Birth Certificate, if you are a descendant (child).

    • The Will and its Certificate of Validity from the Registry of Powers and Wills (Registro de Poderes y Testamentos), in which you appear as an heir. The certification must be issued after the death.
    • Resolution of Declaration of Heirs, in which you appear as an heir.
    • Letters Testamentary or Affidavit accepting the role, if you are the designated executor.
    • Information Request Letter, if you are a lawyer representing the estate.

    If an heir cannot be present on the day of disbursement, they may grant a Power of Attorney or an Affidavit authorizing another member of the estate or a third party to receive and endorse the liquidation check. Any Power of Attorney or Affidavit granted outside of Puerto Rico must be accompanied by the County Clerk Certificate or the corresponding Apostille. These documents must be provided along with the other documents required above.

    If a deceased customer received government benefit payments after the date of death, those funds will be returned to the issuing agency prior to the liquidation of funds.

  • At the time of liquidating the balance deposited in the deceased’s accounts, the Bank will issue one (1) official check in favor of all heirs of the estate and joint owners recorded in the accounts. The Bank does not make partial liquidations, inheritance divisions, or allocate the shares of the members of the estate and/or surviving joint owners. Once the Bank liquidates the deposited balance, it will proceed to close the accounts.

    Requirements to request the liquidation of funds:

      • Requirements for Advancement or Disbursement of Deceased Customer Funds Form (BRA-1032A).
      • Copy of the Death Certificate.
      • The Will and its Certificate of Validity from the Registry of Powers and Wills (Registro de Poderes y Testamentos). If there is no Will, a Declaration of Heirs must be provided.
      • Letters Testamentary or an Affidavit accepting the role, if you are the designated executor.
      • Release of Inheritance if funds exceed $15,000 at the date of death. The accounts and/or assets subject to liquidation must be identified in the Release of Inheritance.
  • To request any of the above-mentioned procedures, you must follow the instructions for each process by completing the Request for Certification of Banking Relationships of Deceased Customers (BRA-1031A) and/or the Requirements for Advancement or Disbursement of Deceased Customer Funds (BRA-1032A). Submit all the required documents to any Banco Popular de Puerto Rico branch or send them via postal mail to the following address:

    Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
    Estate Processing (696)
    PO Box 362708
    San Juan, PR 00936-2708

  • Yes. Banco Popular offers an alternative for certain cases where the deceased customer did not leave a Last Will and Testament and the total funds in all of their accounts do not exceed $2,000.

    This alternative allows the Affidavit for Liquidation of Bank Accounts to be used in place of a Resolution of Declaration of Heirs and/or Notarial Act of Declaration of Heirs.

    This alternative applies when:

    • the total funds in all accounts of the deceased customer do not exceed $2,000;
    • the deceased customer did not leave a Last Will and Testament; and
    • the succession has neither obtained nor initiated the legal process to obtain a Resolution of Declaration of Heirs and/or Notarial Act of Declaration of Heirs.

    Required Documents:

    When presenting the Affidavit for Liquidation of Bank Accounts, the following documents must also be included:

    • A Negative Certification of Will from the Registry of Powers and Wills (Registro de Poderes y Testamentos), confirming that the deceased did not leave a Last Will and Testament.
    • If the Affidavit for Liquidation of Bank Accounts is notarized outside of Puerto Rico, it must include the County Clerk Certificate or Apostille, if applicable.
    • If the total aggregate balances in the deceased’s accounts exceed $15,000 at the date of death, a Lien Cancellation Certificate (Heir Release issued by the Department of Treasury of Puerto Rico / Departamento de Hacienda de Puerto Rico) with Annex A: Details of Other Assets is required.

    This alternative may help you complete the Liquidation of Funds process without first obtaining a Resolution of Declaration of Heirs and/or Notarial Act of Declaration of Heirs, provided that all the requirements listed above are met.

    The Affidavit must identify all heirs of the deceased.