What to do when an Arrowhead CU account holder dies
Report the death to Arrowhead CU's Member Services at 1-800-743-7228
The Member Services at Arrowhead CU 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.
Begin by calling Arrowhead CU at 1-800-743-7228. You will need the deceased's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate to get the process started.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Arrowhead CU:
Filing a claim
- Named POD payee: ask for distribution of the account, less anything the deceased owner owed the credit union
- Surviving joint owner: ask to have the deceased owner removed from the account
- Executor or administrator: present Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration and the estate's taxpayer identification number
- Small estate: present the California Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property
- A dated cover letter naming the deceased member, the account numbers, your role and your contact information
- Where checks may still be outstanding, a written instruction in the letter to stop paying items drawn on the account
- Certified copies of the death certificate
- Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or a California Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property
- The estate's or successor's taxpayer identification number
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimantThe beneficiary, executor or administrator.
- The estate's or successor's taxpayer identification numberOn the death of the primary owner, without it the credit union may refuse to pay, or withhold part of, the interest earned on the account since the date of death.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, for an account with no POD payee and no surviving joint owner
- California Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property, for a small estate
- Trust documentation and certification showing the successor trustee, plus the trustee's ID, for trust accounts
- The separate IRA beneficiary claim and distribution election forms, for IRAs and IRA certificates
What happens to each kind of account6
- Account in one name
An individual account with no POD designation passes to the deceased owner's estate.1
- Joint account with survivorship
A joint account with no POD designation passes to the surviving owner or owners, and on the death of the last of them to that owner's estate.1
A surviving joint owner's interest remains subject to setoff for the deceased owner's obligations and to any pledge or security interest the deceased owner granted, even if the survivor did not consent to it.2
- Payable-on-death account
An individual account with a POD designation passes to the named POD payee or payees. On a joint account with a POD designation, the payees take on the death of the last surviving owner.1
A POD account is payable first to the credit union for any matured or unmatured debt owed to it, and only then to the payees. Where more than one payee survives, they take equal and undivided shares, jointly but without rights of survivorship.1
- Trust account
A trust account is governed by the trust instrument and the Trust Account Signature Card.1
- IRA
An IRA is governed by its own beneficiary designation, never by a POD designation.1
- Fiduciary account
Executors, administrators, conservators and guardians can open fiduciary accounts under court orders; ask a branch about opening an estate account. Their authority continues until the credit union receives written notice to the contrary.1
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- LPL Financial
Investment accounts held through Arrowhead's Member Investment Program, claimed through LPL2
What Arrowhead CU's agreement and guidance say5
- Telling the institution
The Account Agreement makes prompt notice of the death or court-declared incompetence of any owner a member obligation. Until the credit union knows of the death and has had a reasonable opportunity to act, it can keep accepting and collecting items deposited to the account.1
- Payments after the death
Even with knowledge of the death, the credit union may for ten days after the date of death pay or guarantee checks drawn on or before that date, unless a person claiming an interest in the account orders a stop payment in writing.1
- Debts owed to the institution
After the death of any owner, the credit union may set off the deceased owner's debts against a joint or POD account, up to the full amount in it at the time of death, and may place an administrative hold pending setoff. It does not set off against an IRA or similar tax-deferred account, or for credit card plan debt.1
- Fees
The fee schedule lists notary service at $10 per signature, and account research and reconciliation at $25 per hour with a $25 minimum.3
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
The fee schedule charges an inactivity fee of $2 per month after 12 months; the Arrowhead Spending account is exempt.3
Not in Arrowhead CU's published guidance3
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A claim form
- How long a claim takes
Mortgage and home lending
Mortgages and home equity loans are liabilities, not assets. They do not have beneficiaries and cannot be retitled to a trust.
- The deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number and loan number
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Continue making payments on the existing loan
- Assume the loan
- Refinance in your own name
- Pay off the remaining balance
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Documentation proving your ownership interest in the propertyA probated will, court order, recorded deed, or trust document showing you as successor trustee or beneficiary.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if going through probate
- Marriage certificate, if you are the surviving spouse
Federal law on calling a home loan after a death
These exemptions apply to a loan secured by residential real property containing less than five dwelling units.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d); 12 CFR 191.5(b), 141.14Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(3); 12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(iii)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(5)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become an owner of the property.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(6)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
A federal regulation sets further conditions on these transfers.12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(v)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- The deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number and loan number
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Pay off the outstanding balance
- Refinance the debt
- Negotiate repayment terms
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Documentation proving your ownership interest in the propertyA probated will, court order, deed, or trust document.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if going through probate
- Marriage certificate, if you are the surviving spouse
- The deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number and account number
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Pay off the outstanding balance
- Refinance the debt
- Negotiate repayment terms
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Documentation proving your ownership interest in the propertyA probated will, court order, deed, or trust document.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if going through probate
- Marriage certificate, if you are the surviving spouse
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
The draw period ends on the borrower's death, and no additional draws can be made. A confirmed successor in interest is not required to pay the full balance immediately.1
Sources1
Arrowhead CU's Member Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-743-7228 and fax at 1-909-383-7302 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Arrowhead CU primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
Arrowhead CU death claims support
Member Services
Phone
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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