What to do when a Mountain America account holder dies
Contact Mountain America's Member Services — 6-step process, 6 required documents, and pod and joint accounts: typically 5-10 business days after complete documentation. accounts requiring probate: varies by state court timelines.
Member Services
Phone1-800-748-4302
Toll-Free1-800-748-4302
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2331, Sandy, UT 84091
Member Services
Phone1-800-748-4302
Mailing Address
Mountain America Credit Union, P.O. Box 2331, Sandy, UT 84091
Verified Apr 2026
The Member Services at Mountain America 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 begins with a phone call to 1-800-748-4302. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Mountain America:
Filing a claim
1
Notify Mountain America of the death by calling 800-748-4302 or visiting a branch
2
Provide initial information about the deceased member:
- Full name and date of birth
- Social Security number
- Date of death
3
Submit a certified copy of the death certificate to a branch or by mail
4
Complete claim process based on account type:
- POD accounts: beneficiary provides government-issued ID and completes claim paperwork at a branch
- Joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving joint owner retains access; death certificate still required for record update
- Accounts without POD or joint owner: executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court
- Trust accounts: successor trustee provides trust documents, death certificate, and trustee ID
5
Mountain America reviews documentation and releases funds per designation or estate instructions
6
Any outstanding obligations owed to the credit union are satisfied before fund disbursement per the Membership Agreement
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for claimant (beneficiary, executor, or trustee)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD or joint owner)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under state law)
- Trust documents and successor trustee identification (if trust is involved)
- Proof of relationship to deceased (may be required)
Upon the death of an individual account holder, all funds on deposit are paid according to express instructions in the Membership Application (such as POD beneficiary). If no beneficiary is designated, funds are paid to the estate of the account holder. Payment of any sums to a joint owner, beneficiary, or other party is subject to payment of all outstanding obligations owed to the credit union. Life insurance benefits linked to accounts through TruStage/CUNA Mutual should be claimed separately.
Expected timelines at Mountain America: POD and joint accounts: typically 5-10 business days after complete documentation. Accounts requiring probate: varies by state court timelines. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Mountain America includes Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for claimant (beneficiary, executor, or trustee), and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD or joint owner), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designations for deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, certificates) must be set in person at a branch or by requesting a form by mail. Call 800-748-4302 or visit any Mountain America branch with a government-issued photo ID and the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship. Beneficiary changes cannot be made through online banking. All living account owners must sign the completed form.
Upon the death of an individual account holder, funds are distributed according to the instructions in the Membership Application. If a POD beneficiary is designated, the named beneficiary contacts Mountain America at 800-748-4302 or visits a branch with a certified death certificate and government-issued ID to claim the funds. Joint accounts with right of survivorship pass to the surviving owner upon presentation of a death certificate. Accounts without a POD or joint owner pass through probate; the executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Any outstanding obligations owed to the credit union are satisfied before fund disbursement.
Mountain America's Member Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-748-4302 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Mountain America accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Member Services to confirm what applies.
Member Services
Phone1-800-748-4302
Toll-Free1-800-748-4302
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2331, Sandy, UT 84091
Member Services
Phone1-800-748-4302
Mailing Address
Mountain America Credit Union, P.O. Box 2331, Sandy, UT 84091
Verified Apr 2026
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