What to do when a Georgia's Own account holder dies
Contact Georgia's Own — 9-step process, 6 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.
Phone1-404-874-1166
Toll-Free1-800-533-2062
Mailing Address
100 Peachtree St., Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303
TeleTalk (local)
TeleTalk (toll-free)
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone1-404-874-1166
Toll-Free1-800-533-2062
Mailing Address
100 Peachtree St., Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303
TeleTalk (local)
TeleTalk (toll-free)
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims / Member Services
Phone1-800-533-2062
Toll-Free1-800-533-2062
Mailing Address
Georgia's Own Credit Union, P.O. Box 105205, Atlanta, GA 30348
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
When a Georgia's Own member passes away, the Death Claims / Member Services 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.
Georgia's Own provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Georgia's Own:
Filing a claim
1Contact Georgia's Own at (800) 533-2062 or visit a branch as soon as possible after the death
2Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
3Georgia's Own reviews the account type and ownership structure to determine the distribution path
4Joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving joint owner continues to use the account
5Single owner with POD designation: account is closed and funds disbursed directly to surviving named beneficiaries
6Single owner without POD: funds distributed to the estate; executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
7IRA accounts: funds distributed to named IRA beneficiaries per the IRA beneficiary designation on file
8To open an estate account: provide Original Letters Testamentary or Administration, certified death certificate, executor identification, and IRS letter with EIN number issued for the estate
9For real estate-related actions (mortgage, home equity), provide certified death certificate and property ownership documentation to Georgia's Own
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 or beneficiary designation and no joint owner)
- IRS letter with EIN number issued for the estate (for opening an estate account)
- Trust documents and trustee identification (when trust is named as beneficiary)
- Property ownership documentation (for mortgage or home equity situations)
Georgia's Own provides a Survivor's Guide to Account Settlement document to help families navigate the account settlement process after a member's death. The guide covers documentation requirements, account types, and next steps. NCUA insurance on joint and POD funds continues for up to six months following the date of death. Georgia's Own Investment and Retirement Services (through LPL Financial) may assist with additional estate and retirement planning questions.
Processing timelines at Georgia's Own: 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.
Georgia's Own 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 or beneficiary 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
The outcome depends on account ownership and designations. Joint accounts with right of survivorship pass to the surviving owner. Accounts with a POD designation are closed and funds disbursed to surviving named beneficiaries. Accounts without a POD and without a joint owner are distributed to the estate through probate; the executor or administrator must provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration plus an IRS letter with the estate's EIN number. IRA accounts pass to named IRA beneficiaries. Georgia's Own provides a Survivor's Guide to Account Settlement to help families navigate this process. NCUA insurance on joint and POD funds continues for up to six months after death.
Georgia's Own provides a Survivor's Guide to Account Settlement document designed to help families navigate the account settlement process after a member's death. The guide covers documentation requirements, account types, distribution paths, and next steps for handling the deceased member's financial affairs. The guide is available at georgiasown.org or at any branch location.
To open an estate account, you need: Original Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, a certified copy of the death certificate, the executor's government-issued photo identification, and an IRS letter with the EIN number issued for the estate. Estate accounts are used for paying debts and distributing inheritance after a member dies. Visit any branch or call (800) 533-2062 to begin the process.
Georgia's Own's Death Claims / Member Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-533-2062 and email at memberservices@georgiasown.org for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Georgia's Own accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Death Claims / Member Services can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone1-404-874-1166
Toll-Free1-800-533-2062
Mailing Address
100 Peachtree St., Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303
TeleTalk (local)
TeleTalk (toll-free)
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone1-404-874-1166
Toll-Free1-800-533-2062
Mailing Address
100 Peachtree St., Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303
TeleTalk (local)
TeleTalk (toll-free)
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims / Member Services
Phone1-800-533-2062
Toll-Free1-800-533-2062
Mailing Address
Georgia's Own Credit Union, P.O. Box 105205, Atlanta, GA 30348
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
Tools for settling a Georgia's Own estate
Calculators and checklists to help navigate estate settlement after a Georgia's Own account holder passes away.
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