What to do when a First Community CU account holder dies
Contact First Community CU — 5-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
Emailfccu@myfccu.com
Fax(701) 253-5133
Mailing Address
111 9th Street SW, Jamestown, ND 58401
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Phone(701) 252-0360
Toll-Free1-800-850-7676
Emailfccu@myfccu.com
Fax(701) 253-5133
Mailing Address
111 9th Street SW, 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
Fax(701) 253-5133
Mailing Address
First Community Credit Union, PO Box 2180, Jamestown, ND 58402-2075
Verified Apr 2026
After a First Community CU member dies, the Death Claims 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.
To start, call First Community CU at 1-800-850-7676. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate ready before you call.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at First Community CU:
Filing a claim
1
Contact First Community at 1-800-850-7676 or visit any branch to report the death of a member
2
Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
3
Distribution depends on account type and ownership structure:
- Joint accounts with right of survivorship: the surviving joint owner continues to use the account normally
- 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)
- Single-owner accounts without POD: funds are distributed to the estate; executor provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- IRA accounts: beneficiary provides certified death certificate and completes IRA distribution paperwork
4
For small estates: a North Dakota Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted (personal property under $50,000 per NDCC 30.1-23-01)
5
NCUA 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
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.
POD beneficiaries can be added in-branch at any First Community location, by phone at 1-800-850-7676, or by mail. You will need each beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship to you. Percentage allocations must total 100%. Under the North Dakota Uniform Probate Code (NDCC 30.1-31), POD designations cause funds to pass directly to the named beneficiaries on death, bypassing probate. POD is available on checking, savings, money market, and certificate accounts. IRAs use a separate beneficiary designation form.
Joint accounts with right of survivorship pass automatically to the surviving joint owner, who can continue using the account. Single-owner accounts with a POD designation are closed and funds are distributed directly to the named beneficiaries. Single-owner accounts without POD are paid to the estate, and the executor must present Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. For smaller estates, a North Dakota Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted when personal property is under $50,000 (NDCC 30.1-23-01). IRA accounts pay out according to the IRA beneficiary designation on file. Contact First Community at 1-800-850-7676 with a certified death certificate to begin the claim.
First Community CU's Death Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-850-7676 and fax at (701) 253-5133 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple First Community CU accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Death Claims can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Phone(701) 252-0360
Toll-Free1-800-850-7676
Emailfccu@myfccu.com
Fax(701) 253-5133
Mailing Address
111 9th Street SW, Jamestown, ND 58401
Debit Card 24-Hour Service
Credit Card 24-Hour Service
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone(701) 252-0360
Toll-Free1-800-850-7676
Emailfccu@myfccu.com
Fax(701) 253-5133
Mailing Address
111 9th Street SW, 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
Fax(701) 253-5133
Mailing Address
First Community Credit Union, PO Box 2180, Jamestown, ND 58402-2075
Verified Apr 2026
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