What to do when a America First account holder dies
Contact America First's Trust Services (Members Trust Company) — 5-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→
Trust Services (Members Trust Company)
Phone1-801-827-7379
Trust & Estate Consultations
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Settlement
Phone1-800-999-3961
Mailing Address
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
Verified May 2026
The Trust Services (Members Trust Company) at America First coordinates account transitions after a member's death. How each account is handled depends on its setup: POD and trust accounts transfer automatically, while solely-owned accounts typically require court authorization through Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Before contacting America First, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready. A certified death certificate is required to initiate the claim.
Death claim process
The death claim process at America First works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Contact America First at 800-999-3961 or visit any branch to notify of the death
2
Gather required documentation:
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the claimant
3
Follow the appropriate settlement path:
- For POD accounts: named beneficiary provides government-issued ID to claim funds
- For joint accounts: surviving joint owner retains account ownership automatically
- For accounts without POD or joint ownership: executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- For trust accounts: successor trustee provides trust documents, death certificate, and government ID
4
America First reviews all documentation before releasing funds
5
Credit 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
America First Health Savings Accounts are administered through Lively, Inc. (transferred June 2024). HSA beneficiary designations are handled separately from the POD form (AFCU Form #40) used for deposit accounts. You must designate HSA beneficiaries through the Lively platform. Review your HSA beneficiary designation after any life-changing event such as marriage, divorce, or the death of a loved one.
America First's Death Claims / Estate Settlement can be reached by phone at 1-800-999-3961 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple America First accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Trust Services (Members Trust Company) to confirm what applies.
Phone1-800-999-3961
Fax1-801-215-7332
Mailing Address
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
WebsiteLearn more→
Trust Services (Members Trust Company)
Phone1-801-827-7379
Trust & Estate Consultations
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Settlement
Phone1-800-999-3961
Mailing Address
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
Verified May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your America First accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
