Estate planning at LMCU
How to protect 16 LMCU accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file claims through LMCU's Special Accounts Department
Customer Service
Phone1-800-242-9790
Toll-Free1-800-242-9790
Mailing Address
Lake Michigan Credit Union, 4027 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Special Accounts Department
Phone(616) 234-6335
Toll-Free1-800-242-9790
Fax(616) 643-0720
Mailing Address
Lake Michigan Credit Union, Attn: Special Accounts, PO Box 2848, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2848
WebsiteLearn more →
Special Accounts Department
Phone(616) 234-6335
Toll-Free1-800-242-9790
Fax(616) 643-0720
Mailing Address
Lake Michigan Credit Union, Attn: Special Accounts, PO Box 2848, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2848
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
LMCU is a credit union offering 16 accounts that interact with estate planning in different ways. As a membership-based credit union, LMCU primary operations in Michigan's Lower Peninsula (Michigan's largest credit union). 72+ branch locations including 21+ across the Tampa Bay area and Southwest Florida. More than 625,000 members. Headquartered at 4027 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Understanding how each account transfers at death—and which ones a trust can hold—helps families avoid probate delays and unintended outcomes.
Beneficiary designations at LMCU can be managed in branch, by mail, and by phone, typically taking 15-30 minutes in branch; 1-2 weeks by mail. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
LMCU provides specific procedures for both proactive estate planning and filing claims after a death.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 16 account types at LMCU.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact LMCU's Special Accounts Department to file a claim. 10-step process, 6 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →For questions about any of these procedures, contact LMCU's Special Accounts Department at 1-800-242-9790.
LMCU operates in select states, so estate planning procedures may vary by location. Confirm availability in your state before initiating trust funding or account changes.
Frequently asked questions
LMCU does not currently support adding or changing POD beneficiary designations online. You must visit a branch in person, call the Special Accounts Department at 616-234-6335, or submit the Beneficiary Designation Form by mail. The form can be obtained at any branch or by contacting LMCU.
If all named POD beneficiaries predecease the account owner(s), the funds are paid to the estate of the last surviving owner. If a single beneficiary predeceases the member, the percentage share of any remaining beneficiaries increases on a pro rata basis. If a beneficiary is a minor at the time of payment, funds are paid to their legal guardian or as allowed by applicable law.
Trust accounts at LMCU qualify for separate NCUA insurance coverage of up to $250,000 per qualifying beneficiary. For example, a trust with 5 beneficiaries could have up to $1.25 million in insured deposits. The exact coverage depends on the specific terms of your trust document. Individual accounts with a named POD beneficiary also qualify for $250,000 per beneficiary in coverage.
To open a trust account at LMCU, you need your trust agreement or Certificate of Trust, government-issued photo ID for all trustees, and the trust's Employer Identification Number (EIN) or the grantor's SSN for revocable trusts. Contact the Special Accounts Department at 616-234-6335 to schedule an appointment at a branch.
IRAs cannot be titled to a trust. However, you can name your trust as the beneficiary of your Traditional or Roth IRA at LMCU. Consult a tax advisor before doing this, as naming a trust as IRA beneficiary has significant implications for required minimum distributions and tax treatment of inherited IRA funds.
LMCU offers investment services through MaxWealth Management, which provides securities and advisory services via LPL Financial (a registered investment advisor, FINRA/SIPC member). Services include portfolio management, retirement planning, estate planning consultation, tax planning, and charitable gifting strategies. MaxWealth Management is located at LMCU but is not affiliated with LPL Financial. Contact MaxWealth Management for a free, no-obligation financial review.
LMCU offers Kids Club accounts for children 12 and under and Teen Club accounts for ages 13-17. Both earn 3.00% APY on balances up to $1,000. A parent or legal guardian must be an LMCU member to open the account. A Social Security card is required, and a $5 membership deposit is needed to join.
Customer Service
Phone1-800-242-9790
Toll-Free1-800-242-9790
Mailing Address
Lake Michigan Credit Union, 4027 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Special Accounts Department
Phone(616) 234-6335
Toll-Free1-800-242-9790
Fax(616) 643-0720
Mailing Address
Lake Michigan Credit Union, Attn: Special Accounts, PO Box 2848, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2848
WebsiteLearn more →
Special Accounts Department
Phone(616) 234-6335
Toll-Free1-800-242-9790
Fax(616) 643-0720
Mailing Address
Lake Michigan Credit Union, Attn: Special Accounts, PO Box 2848, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2848
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
Estate planning resources for LMCU customers
Tools and documents to help protect your LMCU accounts.
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