What to do when a First Community CU account holder dies
Contact First Community CU — 9-step process, 5 required documents, and joint accounts transfer immediately. pod accounts are typically processed within 2-4 weeks. estate accounts requiring probate documentation may take 30-90 days.
Phone(701) 252-0360
Toll-Free1-800-850-7676
Fax1-701-253-5133
Mailing Address
310 10th Street SE, Jamestown, ND 58401
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Phone(701) 252-0360
Toll-Free1-800-850-7676
Fax1-701-253-5133
Mailing Address
310 10th Street SE, Jamestown, ND 58401
Debit Card 24-Hour Service
Credit Card 24-Hour Service
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-800-850-7676
Toll-Free1-800-850-7676
Fax1-701-253-5133
Mailing Address
First Community Credit Union, PO Box 2180, Jamestown, ND 58402
Verified Mar 2026
When a First Community CU member passes away, the Death Claims 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.
The claim process begins with a phone call to 1-800-850-7676. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at First Community CU:
Filing a claim
1Contact First Community at 1-800-850-7676 or visit any branch to report the death of a member
2Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
3First Community reviews the account type and ownership structure to determine the distribution path
4For joint accounts with right of survivorship: the surviving joint owner continues to use the account normally
5For single-owner accounts with POD: account is closed and funds are disbursed directly to the named beneficiaries per North Dakota Uniform Probate Code (NDCC 30.1-31)
6For single-owner accounts without POD: funds are distributed to the estate; executor provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
7For IRA accounts: beneficiary provides certified death certificate and completes IRA distribution paperwork
8For small estates: a North Dakota Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted (personal property under $50,000 per NDCC 30.1-23-01)
9NCUA share insurance continues to cover joint and POD funds for up to six months following the date of death
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for each beneficiary or claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (when account has no POD designation and no joint owner)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under North Dakota law, NDCC 30.1-23-01)
- Trust documents and trustee identification (when trust is named as beneficiary)
Under North Dakota Uniform Probate Code (NDCC 30.1-31), POD beneficiary designations on deposit accounts pass funds directly to surviving beneficiaries on the death of the owner(s), bypassing probate. North Dakota has no state estate or inheritance tax. For IRA accounts, a separate beneficiary designation governs distribution.
Processing timelines at First Community CU: Joint accounts transfer immediately. POD accounts are typically processed within 2-4 weeks. Estate accounts requiring probate documentation may take 30-90 days.. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
First Community CU requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for each beneficiary or claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (when account has no POD designation and no joint owner), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Visit any First Community branch location, call 1-800-850-7676, or request a beneficiary form by mail. Online beneficiary designation is not currently available. For deposit accounts, complete a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation form. For IRA accounts, a separate IRA beneficiary designation form is required. Under the North Dakota Uniform Probate Code (NDCC 30.1-31), POD designations cause funds to pass directly to surviving beneficiaries, bypassing probate.
The outcome depends on account ownership. Joint accounts pass to the surviving joint owner. Single-owner accounts with a POD designation are closed and funds are disbursed directly to the named beneficiaries under the North Dakota Uniform Probate Code (NDCC 30.1-31). Single-owner accounts without a POD are distributed to the estate through probate. North Dakota has no state estate or inheritance tax. NCUA share insurance continues to cover joint and POD funds for up to six months after the date of death.
Contact First Community at 1-800-850-7676 or visit any branch. You will need a certified death certificate and government-issued photo ID. For POD accounts, beneficiaries can claim funds directly. For joint accounts, the surviving owner provides the death certificate. For accounts without POD or joint ownership, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court are required. For small estates, a North Dakota Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted for personal property under $50,000 (NDCC 30.1-23-01).
Yes. First Community offers an HSA with triple tax advantages: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free earnings, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. Eligibility requires a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), age under 65, no Medicare/VA/TRICARE enrollment, and not being claimed as a dependent. The account has no minimum balance requirement, unlimited transactions, and a free debit card. Funds roll over annually. Catch-up contributions of $1,000 are available for age 55 and older. A beneficiary can be designated on the HSA, but the account cannot be retitled to a trust.
First Community CU's Death Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-850-7676 and fax at 1-701-253-5133 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple First Community CU accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Death Claims can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone(701) 252-0360
Toll-Free1-800-850-7676
Fax1-701-253-5133
Mailing Address
310 10th Street SE, Jamestown, ND 58401
Debit Card 24-Hour Service
Credit Card 24-Hour Service
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone(701) 252-0360
Toll-Free1-800-850-7676
Fax1-701-253-5133
Mailing Address
310 10th Street SE, Jamestown, ND 58401
Debit Card 24-Hour Service
Credit Card 24-Hour Service
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-800-850-7676
Toll-Free1-800-850-7676
Fax1-701-253-5133
Mailing Address
First Community Credit Union, PO Box 2180, Jamestown, ND 58402
Verified Mar 2026
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