Estate planning and settlement at Desert Financial
Name beneficiaries in branch, fund a trust in branch, and report a death at 1-800-456-9171
Desert Financial is a credit union offering 15 accounts that interact with estate planning in different ways. As a membership-based credit union, Desert Financial statewide Arizona field of membership, not a county list. Per the membership disclosure, it "includes persons who live, work (or regularly conduct business in), worship, volunteer, or attend school in the State of Arizona; persons who are in the immediate family or household of a member; spouses or parties to a civil union of persons within the field of membership; organizations, businesses, groups, and/or legal entities located in the State of Arizona; associations, organizations of individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, and other entities that are headquartered or have offices in the State of Arizona; and employees of Desert Financial." That matters to an estate in two ways: a decedent who merely worked in or attended school in Arizona may hold an account even if they lived elsewhere, and an immediate-family or household heir is separately eligible to join. Branches are concentrated in the Phoenix metro area with additional locations in northern Arizona (Payson, Prescott Valley, Flagstaff) and in-store branches at Walmart, Fry's, and Safeway. Chartered in 1939; more than 500,000 members with service statewide, and about 517,794 members and $9.9 billion in assets per the NCUA (charter #68713). Understanding how each account transfers at death—and which ones a trust can hold—helps families avoid probate delays and unintended outcomes.
Desert Financial lets account holders update beneficiary designations in branch and by phone, typically taking 15 to 30 minutes in a branch. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
Desert Financial provides specific procedures for both proactive estate planning and filing claims after a death.
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 15 account types at Desert Financial.
Preparing your estate →Death claim process
Report the death to Desert Financial's Member Services at 1-800-456-9171. The page lists the steps and the documents to send.
When someone dies →For questions about any of these procedures, contact Desert Financial's Wills & Trusts at 1-602-336-5531.
Desert Financial operates in select states, so estate planning procedures may vary by location. Confirm availability in your state before initiating trust funding or account changes.
Sources
Data sourced from Desert Financial primary sources (22 pages reviewed). How we research.
Desert Financial customer support
Phone
Toll-free
Text
24-Hour Phone Banking
New Accounts & Loans
Business Members
Report a Lost or Stolen Credit Card
Report a Lost or Stolen Debit or ATM Card
Service an Existing Mortgage
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Desert Financial accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Forms for Planning Your Estate
Free forms for planning your estate: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.
Transfer on Death Deed
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate. Available in 34 states and the District of Columbia.
Vehicle Transfer on Death
Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate. Available in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
Tools for Planning Your Estate
Free tools for planning your estate: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
Compare the cost of probate vs a trust for your state and estate value.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare revocable living trust costs across providers including online services and attorneys.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare will costs across providers plus probate costs your heirs will pay.
How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
