What to do when a Georgia's Own account holder dies
Contact Georgia's Own — 5-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.
100 Peachtree St., Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303
100 Peachtree St., Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303
Deceased Accounts
Georgia's Own Credit Union, 100 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303, Attn: Deceased Accounts
The Deceased Accounts at Georgia's Own coordinates account transitions after a member's death. How each account is handled depends on its setup: POD and trust accounts transfer automatically, while solely-owned accounts typically require court authorization through Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
The claim process can be initiated by phone at 1-800-533-2062 or by sending documentation to deceasedacctnotifications@georgiasown.org. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Georgia's Own requires:
Filing a claim
- Joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving joint owner continues to use the account
- Single owner with POD designation: account is closed and funds disbursed directly to surviving named beneficiaries
- Single owner without POD: funds distributed to the estate; executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- IRA accounts: closed without a Georgia's Own penalty and distributed to named IRA beneficiaries. A spousal beneficiary may roll the funds into an IRA in their own name; non-spousal beneficiaries receive an IRA beneficiary account
- Original Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- Certified death certificate
- Executor government-issued photo identification
- IRS letter with EIN number issued for the estate
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)
Claims Contact
What to know at this institution
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. The dedicated deceased-accounts channel is deceasedacctnotifications@georgiasown.org or mail to 100 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303, Attn: Deceased Accounts. An estate account can be opened even if the deceased was not a member, provided all beneficiaries of the estate qualify for or hold Georgia's Own membership; an EIN for the estate is required (free from the IRS at irs.gov or 800-829-4933). Georgia's Own Investment & Retirement Services (registered representatives of CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC) offers no-cost appointments at 404-253-9703 for guidance on the disposition of accounts and assets.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Georgia's Own
Georgia's Own accepts a claimant-drafted letter of instruction. We draft it for you — addressed to Georgia's Own's verified claims department, with the documents it requires enclosed.
Build your letter of instructionProcessing 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.
Documentation required by Georgia's Own includes 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), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Per Georgia's Own's Survivor's Guide to Account Settlement, an executor or administrator can open a Georgia's Own estate account even when the deceased was not a member, provided all beneficiaries of the estate qualify for or hold Georgia's Own membership. The executor does not have to already be a member but must qualify for membership to open the account. You will need court documents designating you as executor or administrator, an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the estate (free from the IRS at irs.gov or 800-829-4933), and a completed estate account application at a branch. Estate accounts pair a checking account with a companion savings account and do not include debit cards. Notify Georgia's Own at deceasedacctnotifications@georgiasown.org or (800) 533-2062 to begin.
Joint accounts established as "Joint Account" with right of survivorship continue under the surviving joint owner; the surviving owner should bring a certified death certificate to a branch to retitle the account out of the deceased's Social Security number. Accounts established as "Joint Account--No Survivorship" should not have checks written from them after the date of death; the deceased owner's share passes to the estate. NCUA insurance coverage on joint and POD funds continues for up to six months following the date of death.
Georgia's Own's Deceased Accounts can be reached by phone at 1-800-533-2062 and email at deceasedacctnotifications@georgiasown.org for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Georgia's Own accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Deceased Accounts to confirm what applies.
Sources
Data sourced from Georgia's Own primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
100 Peachtree St., Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303
100 Peachtree St., Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303
Deceased Accounts
Georgia's Own Credit Union, 100 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA 30303, Attn: Deceased Accounts
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Georgia's Own accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
More tools for handling this estate
Calculators and checklists for executors and trustees.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
Find out what's fair compensation for serving as trustee. Compare family, professional, and corporate trustee rates based on your situation.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
