Estate planning at California CU
How to protect 15 California CU accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file death claims
Phone1-800-334-8788
Mailing Address
California Credit Union, 701 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 400, Glendale, CA 91203
Real Estate Loan Center
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-334-8788
Mailing Address
California Credit Union, 701 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 400, Glendale, CA 91203
Real Estate Loan Center
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Services
Phone1-800-334-8788
Mailing Address
California Credit Union, 701 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 400, Glendale, CA 91203
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
California CU is a credit union offering 15 accounts that interact with estate planning in different ways. As a membership-based credit union, California CU operates 26 branches across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties. 14 branches in LA/Orange County, 11 in San Diego, 1 in Riverside County. San Diego-area branches operate under the North Island Credit Union name, a division of California Credit Union. Membership open to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school, or has a business in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, or Ventura counties, plus school employees statewide. Virtual Branch and mobile banking available nationwide for existing members. Headquartered at 701 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 400, Glendale, CA 91203. Understanding how each account transfers at death—and which ones a trust can hold—helps families avoid probate delays and unintended outcomes.
California CU lets account holders update beneficiary designations in branch, by mail, and by phone, typically taking 15-30 minutes in branch; longer by mail. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
California CU provides specific procedures for both proactive estate planning and filing claims after a death.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 15 account types at California CU.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
5-step process, 7 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Because California CU serves a limited number of states, procedures for trust funding and beneficiary changes may differ depending on your location. Verify availability before starting.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. California Credit Union accepts both revocable and irrevocable trust accounts for checking, savings, money market, and share certificate accounts. Visit a local branch with your Certification of Trust (or full trust agreement), trustee identification, and the trust Tax Identification Number. Existing accounts can also be retitled to a trust without closing them.
Yes. Existing deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, share certificates) can be retitled to your revocable living trust. Visit a California Credit Union branch with your Certification of Trust and trustee identification. The process does not require closing and reopening the account if the same SSN or EIN is used. IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust.
Yes. While IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust, you can name a trust as the primary or contingent beneficiary of your Traditional or Roth IRA at California Credit Union. Visit a branch or call (800) 334-8788, option 4, to complete an IRA Beneficiary Designation form. California is a community property state, so married account holders may need spousal consent for IRA beneficiary changes.
Yes. California Credit Union offers an HSA Checking account paired with a qualified high-deductible health insurance plan. Contributions are pre-tax up to IRS annual limits. Earnings grow tax-free, and qualified medical expense withdrawals are tax-free. The account includes a Visa Debit Card and pays dividends monthly when minimum balance requirements are met. After age 65, non-medical withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.
Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school, or has a business in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, or Ventura counties. School employees throughout California are also eligible. Every membership requires opening a Share Savings account (or Student Savings for students) with a minimum $0.01 deposit. San Diego-area members are served through the North Island Credit Union division.
Sources
Data sourced from California CU primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
Phone1-800-334-8788
Mailing Address
California Credit Union, 701 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 400, Glendale, CA 91203
Real Estate Loan Center
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-334-8788
Mailing Address
California Credit Union, 701 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 400, Glendale, CA 91203
Real Estate Loan Center
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Services
Phone1-800-334-8788
Mailing Address
California Credit Union, 701 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 400, Glendale, CA 91203
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your California CU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
