What to do when a MSUFCU account holder dies
Contact MSUFCU's Members Trust Company — 4-step process, 5 required documents, and pod and joint accounts typically processed within 5-10 business days upon verification of documentation. estate accounts vary depending on probate court timelines. msufcu may honor checks or accept payments drawn until 10 days after learning of the death.
Member Services
Phone(517) 333-2424
Toll-Free1-800-678-4968
Fax1-866-374-2123
Mailing Address
MSU Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 1208, East Lansing, MI 48826-1208
WebsiteLearn more→
Members Trust Company
Mailing Address
MSU Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 1208, East Lansing, MI 48826-1208
WebsiteLearn more→
Specialty and Support Services
Phone(517) 333-2424
Toll-Free1-800-678-4968
Fax1-866-374-2123
Mailing Address
MSUFCU ATTN: Specialty and Support Services, PO Box 1208, East Lansing, MI 48826-1208
Verified May 2026
After a MSUFCU member dies, the Members Trust Company manages the transfer of accounts. POD-designated and trust-owned accounts pass directly to beneficiaries. Accounts held solely in the member's name may require probate court documents—Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration—before funds can be released.
Before contacting MSUFCU, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready. A certified death certificate is required to initiate the claim.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at MSUFCU:
Filing a claim
1
Notify MSUFCU of the member's death:
- Call 517-333-2424 or toll-free at 800-678-4968
- Or visit any MSUFCU branch location
- Provide the deceased member's name, account number, and date of death
2
Submit a copy of the death certificate using any of the following channels:
- In person at any branch location
- Via eMessage through online banking
- By fax to 866-374-2123
- By mail to: MSUFCU ATTN: Specialty and Support Services, PO Box 1208, East Lansing, MI 48826-1208
3
Provide documentation based on account type:
- POD accounts: named beneficiary provides government-issued ID to claim funds
- Joint accounts: surviving joint owner retains account access; provide death certificate to remove deceased owner
- Trust accounts: successor trustee provides trust document, death certificate, and trustee ID
- Estate accounts (no POD/trust/joint): provide Letters of Personal Representative from probate court
4
Settlement and distribution:
- MSUFCU reviews all documentation for completeness
- Outstanding loans or fees are deducted before distribution
- Assets distributed per beneficiary designation, trust terms, or estate instructions
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for claimant (beneficiary, trustee, or personal representative)
- Letters of Personal Representative issued by probate court (if no POD, trust, or joint owner)
- Trust documents and trustee identification (if trust is beneficiary or account is trust-titled)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under Michigan law -- estates under $25,000)
Any person claiming an interest in a deceased member's accounts must provide proof of their right to the account. MSUFCU may require indemnification from losses. For single accounts where the owner dies, ownership passes to the decedent's estate, POD beneficiary, or trust beneficiary. IRA death claims may have additional tax reporting requirements. Members Trust Company can assist with trust administration following the grantor's death.
Processing timelines at MSUFCU: POD and joint accounts typically processed within 5-10 business days upon verification of documentation. Estate accounts vary depending on probate court timelines. MSUFCU may honor checks or accept payments drawn until 10 days after learning of the death. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
MSUFCU requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for claimant (beneficiary, trustee, or personal representative), and Letters of Personal Representative issued by probate court (if no POD, trust, or joint owner), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
MSUFCU restricts membership to the MSU community, Oakland University affiliates, select Michigan SEGs, and anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school, or owns a business in Michigan. If a successor trustee named in a trust does not independently qualify for membership, the trust account may need to be closed at the grantor's death and proceeds distributed by check rather than continued in MSUFCU's name. Confirm eligibility with MSUFCU's Specialty and Support Services at 517-333-2424 before naming an out-of-state successor trustee.
Contact MSUFCU at 517-333-2424 or 800-678-4968, visit any branch, or submit a copy of the death certificate via eMessage, fax (866-374-2123), or mail to MSUFCU ATTN: Specialty and Support Services, PO Box 1208, East Lansing, MI 48826-1208. For POD accounts, the named beneficiary presents government-issued ID to claim funds. For joint accounts, the surviving owner retains access. For estate accounts without a POD or trust, a court-appointed personal representative must provide Letters of Personal Representative. Any claimant must provide proof of right to the account and may be required to indemnify MSUFCU.
MSUFCU's Specialty and Support Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-678-4968 and fax at 1-866-374-2123 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple MSUFCU accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Members Trust Company can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Member Services
Phone(517) 333-2424
Toll-Free1-800-678-4968
Fax1-866-374-2123
Mailing Address
MSU Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 1208, East Lansing, MI 48826-1208
WebsiteLearn more→
Members Trust Company
Mailing Address
MSU Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 1208, East Lansing, MI 48826-1208
WebsiteLearn more→
Specialty and Support Services
Phone(517) 333-2424
Toll-Free1-800-678-4968
Fax1-866-374-2123
Mailing Address
MSUFCU ATTN: Specialty and Support Services, PO Box 1208, East Lansing, MI 48826-1208
Verified May 2026
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