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.
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 Apr 2026
The Death Claims / Member Services 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.
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
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Georgia's Own requires:
Filing a claim
1
Contact Georgia's Own at (800) 533-2062 or visit a branch as soon as possible after the death
2
Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
3
Georgia's Own reviews the account type and ownership structure to determine the distribution path:
- 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: funds distributed to named IRA beneficiaries per the IRA beneficiary designation on file
4
To open an estate account, provide:
- Original Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- Certified death certificate
- Executor government-issued photo identification
- IRS letter with EIN number issued for the estate
5
For 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.
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
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.
Joint accounts classified as "Joint Account" with right of survivorship continue under the surviving joint owner. Georgia's Own will continue reporting to the IRS under the deceased's Social Security number until the account is closed or retitled to the surviving joint owner. Joint accounts classified as "Joint Account--No Survivorship" should not have checks written from them after the date of death. Prompt action to retitle or close the account avoids complications from continued IRS reporting under the deceased's SSN.
Yes. To open an estate account at Georgia's Own, the executor or administrator must provide the original Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, a certified death certificate, government-issued photo identification, and an IRS letter with the EIN number issued for the estate. An estate account can be a savings, checking, money market, or certificate product. Georgia's Own does not allow estates to have debit cards. Checks should be ordered in the name of the estate with the executor's name on the second line.
No. Under Georgia law, corporations--including charitable nonprofit corporations--cannot be named as Payable on Death (POD) beneficiaries on a bank or credit union account. This restriction applies to all Georgia's Own deposit accounts. If you want a charitable organization to receive funds after your death, consider alternative estate planning strategies such as naming the charity in your will or trust.
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.
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 Death Claims / Member Services to confirm what applies.
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 Apr 2026
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