What to do when a America First account holder dies
Contact America First's Trust Services (Members Trust Company) — 8-step process, 5 required documents, and pod and joint accounts typically process within 5-10 business days after documentation is received. probate-dependent accounts vary based on court timelines.
Phone1-800-999-3961
Fax1-801-215-7332
Mailing Address
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims / Estate Settlement
Phone1-800-999-3961
Mailing Address
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
Verified Mar 2026
When a America First member passes away, the Trust Services (Members Trust Company) handles the transition of accounts to beneficiaries or the estate. Accounts with Payable on Death designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate, while solely-owned accounts may require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting America First. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at America First:
Filing a claim
1Contact America First at 800-999-3961 or visit any branch to notify of the death
2Provide a certified death certificate
3For POD accounts: named beneficiary provides government-issued ID to claim funds
4For joint accounts: surviving joint owner retains account ownership automatically
5For accounts without POD or joint ownership: executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
6For trust accounts: successor trustee provides trust documents, death certificate, and government ID
7America First reviews all documentation before releasing funds
8Credit union may require claimant to sign an indemnification agreement
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD or joint owner)
- Trust documents and successor trustee identification (if trust is beneficiary)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if applicable under state law)
Call 1-800-999-3961 (Mon-Fri 8am-7pm MT, Sat 8am-6pm MT) or visit any branch to begin the estate settlement process. Per the membership agreement, the credit union may honor payments authorized by the deceased for up to 10 days after learning of the death, unless instructed otherwise by a person claiming an interest in the account. The credit union may require any claimant to indemnify America First for losses resulting from honoring the claim.
Processing timelines at America First: POD and joint accounts typically process within 5-10 business days after documentation is received. Probate-dependent accounts vary based on court timelines.. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
America First requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD or joint owner), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Trusts can be named as POD beneficiaries on deposit accounts using AFCU Form #211 (Trust as POD Designation). Provide the trust name, date established, and EIN. This allows the account to pass directly to the trust upon the account holder's death without going through probate.
If the account has a named POD beneficiary, funds pass directly to the beneficiary upon presentation of a death certificate and government ID. Joint accounts pass to the surviving joint owner automatically. Accounts without POD or joint ownership pass through the estate and may require probate. Per the membership agreement, the credit union may honor payments authorized by the deceased for up to 10 days after learning of the death.
America First's Death Claims / Estate Settlement can be reached by phone at 1-800-999-3961 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple America First accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Trust Services (Members Trust Company) can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone1-800-999-3961
Fax1-801-215-7332
Mailing Address
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims / Estate Settlement
Phone1-800-999-3961
Mailing Address
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
Verified Mar 2026
Tools for settling a America First estate
Calculators and checklists to help navigate estate settlement after a America First account holder passes away.
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