How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at LMCU
Covers 12 deposit, 2 retirement, and 2 investment accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
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 May 2026
Estate planning at LMCU means getting each account set up so it transfers automatically when you die—either through a POD beneficiary or trust ownership. Because LMCU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Without one of these in place, accounts may require probate before your family can access the funds.
LMCU has 16 product types, and the estate transfer rules differ across them. Some support Payable on Death (POD) designations, some can be retitled into a trust, and others will require probate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.
Max CheckingFree CheckingAdvantage 50 CheckingInvestor CheckingMember SavingsMax SavingsMax Money MarketHoliday ClubKids ClubTeen ClubCertificate of Deposit (CD)8-Month CD Special
1
Visit any LMCU branch location.
2
Bring government-issued photo ID.
3
Request the Beneficiary Designation Form.
4
Provide beneficiary information:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Relationship to account owner
- Percentage allocation
5
Specify primary and contingent beneficiaries.
6
Sign and submit the completed form.
7
Receive confirmation of beneficiary designation.
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- POD designation available for deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market) -- excludes CDs, IRAs, and HSAs per member agreement.
- Beneficiary designation required for IRA accounts (separate from POD).
- Trusts can be named as POD beneficiaries.
- Either account owner may change beneficiaries during lifetime by written direction to the credit union.
- If all named POD beneficiaries predecease owner, funds are paid to the estate of the last surviving owner.
- If a beneficiary predeceases the member, the percentage share of remaining beneficiaries increases on a pro rata basis.
- If beneficiary is a minor at time of payment, funds paid to legal guardian or as allowed by applicable law.
- Beneficiary designations for investment accounts handled through LPL Financial, not LMCU directly.
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 May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your LMCU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
