What to do when a American Heritage account holder dies
Contact American Heritage's Account Services — 7-step process, 9 required documents, and pod and joint accounts settled more quickly; single-owner accounts without pod designation require probate documentation which varies by estate size and state requirements
Phone1-215-969-0777
Toll-Free1-800-342-0008
Fax1-215-676-6912
Mailing Address
American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
After Hours
WebsiteLearn more→
Account Services
Fax1-215-969-1246
Mailing Address
American Heritage Credit Union, Attn: Account Services, 2060 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
Account Services
Fax1-215-969-1246
Mailing Address
American Heritage Credit Union, Attn: Account Services, 2060 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
When a American Heritage member passes away, the Account Services 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.
American Heritage offers an online claims portal that makes the initial filing process more straightforward. Survivors can also initiate claims by phone or by mailing documentation directly.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with American Heritage:
Filing a claim
1
Notify American Heritage of the member's death by phone at 215-969-0777 ext. 7000, by fax at 215-969-1246, by email at membership@amhfcu.org, or by visiting any branch
2
Provide initial information:
- Member's name, date of birth, Social Security number or account number, and date of death
- Your name and contact information
3
Gather required documentation:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued identification for the person settling the account
4
Complete the appropriate forms based on account type:
- Single-owner accounts: American Heritage Information Sheet (available at branch or by request)
- Joint-owned accounts: Member Services Request Form
5
Provide additional documentation if applicable:
- Single-owner accounts with a full estate over $200: Short Certificate from the county courthouse
- If the executor is a Class A Transferee: L-8 Form (Pennsylvania inheritance tax form)
- Pennsylvania residents with single-owner accounts payable to next of kin: Family Member Affidavit (Affidavit of Next of Kin), signed in front of a notary and 2 witnesses, returned in person or by mail
6
Choose the appropriate settlement path:
- Accounts with POD beneficiaries: funds distributed directly to named beneficiaries
- IRA accounts: Beneficiary IRA account(s) opened for designated beneficiary(ies); IRA closed without early withdrawal penalty
- Accounts without POD/beneficiary designations: balance payable to the estate of the deceased owner
7
All loans are evaluated for credit life coverage; if insurance exists, a claim is submitted by American Heritage
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued ID for the person settling the account
- American Heritage Information Sheet (single-owner or beneficiary accounts)
- Member Services Request Form (joint-owned accounts)
- Short Certificate from county courthouse (single-owner accounts with estate over $200)
- L-8 Form (if executor is Class A Transferee)
- Family Member Affidavit / Affidavit of Next of Kin (PA residents, single-owner accounts payable to next of kin; must be notarized with 2 witnesses)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if applicable)
- Trust documents (if trust is beneficiary)
American Heritage recommends settling accounts as soon as possible. The credit union continues reporting to the IRS under the deceased's Social Security Number until the account is closed. Required paperwork varies by state; Pennsylvania requires Short Certificates from the county courthouse for estates over $200. IRA disbursement varies depending on whether a beneficiary was elected and the relationship of the beneficiary. All loans are evaluated for credit life coverage.
How long the process takes at American Heritage: POD and joint accounts settled more quickly; single-owner accounts without POD designation require probate documentation which varies by estate size and state requirements. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by American Heritage includes Certified death certificate, Government-issued ID for the person settling the account, and American Heritage Information Sheet (single-owner or beneficiary accounts), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
All situations require a certified death certificate and valid government-issued ID. Single-owner accounts require an American Heritage Information Sheet. Joint accounts require a Member Services Request Form. For single-owner accounts with a full estate over $200, a Short Certificate from the county courthouse is required. If the executor is a Class A Transferee, an L-8 Form is also needed. Pennsylvania residents with accounts payable to next of kin must complete a Family Member Affidavit signed before a notary and two witnesses.
IRA disbursement varies depending on whether a beneficiary was elected and the relationship of the beneficiary. The IRA account is closed without early withdrawal penalty. A Beneficiary IRA account is opened for the designated beneficiary(ies), and the funds are disbursed from the deceased owner's IRA to the Beneficiary IRA account(s).
American Heritage's Account Services can be reached by phone at 1-215-969-0777 ext. 7000, email at membership@amhfcu.org, and fax at 1-215-969-1246 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple American Heritage accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Account Services can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone1-215-969-0777
Toll-Free1-800-342-0008
Fax1-215-676-6912
Mailing Address
American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
After Hours
WebsiteLearn more→
Account Services
Fax1-215-969-1246
Mailing Address
American Heritage Credit Union, Attn: Account Services, 2060 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
Account Services
Fax1-215-969-1246
Mailing Address
American Heritage Credit Union, Attn: Account Services, 2060 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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