What to do when a Atlantic FCU account holder dies
Contact Atlantic FCU — 4-step process, 5 required documents, and joint accounts transfer immediately upon notification. pod beneficiaries typically receive funds within 5-10 business days of submitting required documentation. accounts requiring probate depend on maine court timelines.
Member Services
Atlantic Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 163, Biddeford, ME 04005-9998
Member Services
Atlantic Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 163, Biddeford, ME 04005-9998
Member Services
Atlantic Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 163, Biddeford, ME 04005-9998
After a member of Atlantic FCU dies, the Member Services manages the transfer of accounts. POD-designated and trust-owned accounts pass directly to beneficiaries. Accounts held solely in the member's name may require probate court documents—Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration—before funds can be released.
The first step is contacting Atlantic FCU at 1-207-571-3500 with the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate in hand.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Atlantic FCU requires:
Filing a claim
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID of the person settling the account
- Joint accounts: surviving owner retains the account with right of survivorship
- POD accounts: named beneficiaries provide death certificate and government-issued ID to claim funds
- Trust accounts: successor trustee provides trust documents, death certificate, and Tax ID Number (EIN)
- Accounts without beneficiaries or joint owners: executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court
- Small estates below Maine's threshold (statutory base $40,000 under 18-C M.R.S. 3-1201, adjusted annually for inflation per 18-C M.R.S. 1-108, once at least 30 days have elapsed since death and no personal representative has been appointed): a Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted in lieu of full probate
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID of the claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate required)
- Trust documents and EIN (if trust-owned account)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under Maine law)
What to know at this institution
Visit any of the 11 Atlantic FCU branch locations in person for the fastest processing. Maine does not impose a state inheritance tax, so no state tax waiver forms are required for account settlement. For lost or stolen debit card issues related to deceased member accounts, call (800) 472-3272. Video Banking is also available for remote assistance.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Atlantic FCU
Atlantic FCU accepts a claimant-drafted letter of instruction. We draft it for you — addressed to Atlantic FCU's verified claims department, with the documents it requires enclosed.
Build your letter of instructionExpected timelines at Atlantic FCU: Joint accounts transfer immediately upon notification. POD beneficiaries typically receive funds within 5-10 business days of submitting required documentation. Accounts requiring probate depend on Maine court timelines. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Atlantic FCU includes Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID of the claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate required), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Visit any of the 11 Atlantic FCU branch locations or call (800) 834-0432 to request a Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary designation. Provide each beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship, along with the percentage allocation for each beneficiary. POD designations are available on checking, savings, money market, and certificate accounts. Online beneficiary management is not available.
Joint accounts pass to the surviving owner automatically with right of survivorship. POD accounts are paid to named beneficiaries upon presentation of a death certificate and government-issued ID. Trust accounts pass to the successor trustee with trust documents, death certificate, and EIN. Accounts without beneficiaries or joint owners require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court. For estates below Maine's small estate threshold (statutory base $40,000 under 18-C M.R.S. 3-1201, adjusted annually for inflation), a Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted once at least 30 days have elapsed since death. Contact Atlantic FCU at (800) 834-0432 or visit any branch.
No. Maine does not impose a state inheritance tax, so no state tax waiver forms are required for credit union account settlement. For small estates, a Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted in lieu of full probate proceedings. Under 18-C M.R.S. 3-1201, this applies when the entire estate (less liens and encumbrances) does not exceed $40,000 -- a figure adjusted annually for inflation under 18-C M.R.S. 1-108 and published each year on the county probate court website -- at least 30 days have elapsed since death, and no personal representative has been appointed.
Atlantic FCU's Member Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-834-0432 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Atlantic FCU accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Member Services can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Sources
Data sourced from Atlantic FCU primary sources (17 pages reviewed). How we research.
Member Services
Atlantic Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 163, Biddeford, ME 04005-9998
Member Services
Atlantic Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 163, Biddeford, ME 04005-9998
Member Services
Atlantic Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 163, Biddeford, ME 04005-9998
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