What to do when an Idaho Central CU account holder dies
Report the death to Idaho Central CU at 1-800-456-5067
Idaho Central CU 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.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Idaho Central CU works as follows:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Death certificateA copy. Confirm with ICCU before paying for certified copies.
- Government-issued photo ID, for the claimant
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration, if there is no POD beneficiary or joint owner
- Trust documents and the successor trustee's identification, if a trust holds the account or is its beneficiaryThe trust agreement or a Certificate of Trust.
- Small estate affidavit, for a small estate, in place of letters
What happens to each kind of account6
- Payable-on-death account
The named beneficiary presents a death certificate and government-issued photo ID. The claim resolves once ICCU has reviewed them.1
Where two or more people created the account, the beneficiaries cannot withdraw until all of the creating owners have died and the beneficiary is then living. Several surviving beneficiaries take equal shares without right of survivorship.2
- Joint account with survivorship
The surviving owner keeps full access and provides the death certificate to update the account records. The claim resolves once ICCU has reviewed the death certificate and ID.1
- Trust account
The successor trustee provides the trust documents, the trustee's ID and a death certificate.1
- Fiduciary account
By opening the account ICCU is "not acting in the capacity of a trustee in connection with the trust nor do we undertake any obligation to monitor or enforce the terms of the trust or letters." It is "not responsible for the actions of a fiduciary, including the misuse of funds."2
- Account in one name
With no POD beneficiary, joint owner or trust, the executor or administrator provides letters testamentary or letters of administration, or an Idaho small estate affidavit. A claim that needs letters follows the probate court's timeline.1
- Certificate of deposit
The agreement lists "Death of the account owner(s)" first among the exemptions that "may be made to waive the early withdrawal penalty". Otherwise the penalty is 90 days of interest on terms under 12 months and 180 days on terms of 12 months or more.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersOregon, Washington
- Oregon
ORS 723.466
Oregon law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.ORS 723.466Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: surviving spouse
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: at any time after the death
Paid to: Oregon Health Authority or Department of Human Services (no surviving spouse; preferred claim under ORS 411.708, 411.795 or 416.350)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not less than 46 days and no more than 75 days after the death
Paid to: surviving children 18 or older; else surviving parent(s); else surviving brothers and sisters 18 or older; else any other surviving heir
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 76 days after the death; not earlier than 46 days after the death where the institution obtains prior verbal or written authorization from both the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services
Paid to: estate administrator of the State Treasurer (intestate, no known heirs)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
- Washington
RCW 30A.22.190(2)
Washington law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $2,500 held at the institution
Paid to: the surviving spouse, next of kin, funeral director, or other creditor who may appear to be entitled thereto
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
RCW 30A.22.190(1)
Washington law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(1)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: The section sets no dollar limit.
Paid to: the surviving spouse (party to a community property agreement with the decedent that reaches the funds)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- ICCU Private Client Department
The relationship of a Private Client member1
Phone: 1-208-478-3311
What Idaho Central CU's agreement and guidance say5
- Telling the institution
"You agree to notify us promptly if any person with a right to withdraw funds from your account(s) dies."2
- Payments after the death
ICCU may keep honoring the deceased owner's checks, items and instructions until it both knows of the death and has had a reasonable opportunity to act.2
It "may pay or certify checks drawn on or before the date of death ... for up to ten (10) days after your death ... unless ordered to stop payment by someone claiming an interest in the account."2
- Disputes between claimants
ICCU may freeze the funds when a claim is adverse to "others claiming an interest as survivors or beneficiaries of your account", for as long as it reasonably takes a court to resolve the claim or until it receives satisfactory evidence the dispute is settled.2
- Arbitration
Under the agreement's Arbitration and Waiver of Class Action provision, either party may elect binding arbitration.2
- Which state governs the account
The agreement's Choice of Law and Venue clause applies Idaho law and fixes court venue in Bannock County, Idaho, or the county where ICCU maintains a physical office, among the listed alternatives.2
Not in Idaho Central CU's published guidance3
- A claim form
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
- How long a claim takes
Sources2
- 1.Contact
- 2.ICCU Membership and Account Agreement, Rev. 03/2025
Idaho Central CU can be reached by phone at 1-800-456-5067 and email at memberservice@iccu.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Idaho Central CU primary sources (28 pages reviewed). How we research.
Idaho Central CU death claims support
Phone
After-Hours (US)
After-Hours (Outside US)
Private Client Department
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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