What to do when a New England FCU account holder dies
Contact New England FCU — 4-step process, 5 required documents, and pod and joint accounts processed upon verification of documents; estate accounts vary based on probate requirements. per bylaws, deceased member accounts may continue until close of dividend period in which estate administration completes.
Phone1-800-400-8790
Toll-Free1-800-400-8790
Mailing Address
EastRise Credit Union, P.O. Box 527, Williston, VT 05495
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-400-8790
Toll-Free1-800-400-8790
Mailing Address
EastRise Credit Union, P.O. Box 527, Williston, VT 05495
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Member Services
Phone1-800-400-8790
Toll-Free1-800-400-8790
Mailing Address
EastRise Credit Union, P.O. Box 527, Williston, VT 05495
Verified Apr 2026
The Death Claims / Member Services at New England FCU 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.
Begin by calling New England FCU at 1-800-400-8790. You will need the deceased's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate to get the process started.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at New England FCU:
Filing a claim
1
Contact EastRise at 800-400-8790 or visit any branch to report the death of a member
2
Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
3
Follow the claim process for the applicable account type:
- POD accounts: beneficiary provides certified death certificate and government-issued photo ID to claim funds
- Joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving owner provides certified death certificate to remove the deceased
- Accounts without POD or joint ownership: executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court
4
Per EastRise bylaws: the share account of a deceased member (other than one held in joint tenancy) may be continued until the close of the dividend period in which the administration of the estate is completed
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD or joint account)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under Vermont law)
- Trust documents (if trust is named as beneficiary)
Death claims handled through general member services -- no dedicated estate/death claims department or portal identified on the EastRise website. Vermont small estate threshold: estates valued at $45,000 or less may qualify for simplified probate procedures.
Expected timelines at New England FCU: POD and joint accounts processed upon verification of documents; estate accounts vary based on probate requirements. Per bylaws, deceased member accounts may continue until close of dividend period in which estate administration completes. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
New England FCU requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD or joint account), 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
Call EastRise at 800-400-8790 or visit any branch. Per bylaws (Article III, Section 5(c)), a deceased member's share account (other than one held in joint tenancy) may remain open until the close of the dividend period in which estate administration completes. POD beneficiaries present a certified death certificate and government-issued ID to claim funds. Joint account survivors present the death certificate to remove the deceased. Accounts without POD or joint ownership require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court. Vermont's simplified probate threshold is $45,000 or less.
Yes. EastRise IRA accounts (Traditional, Roth, and Coverdell) accept trust beneficiary designations. IRA accounts themselves cannot be retitled to a trust; the IRA must remain in the individual member's name. Naming a trust as IRA beneficiary means the IRA proceeds pass through the trust rather than directly to individuals. Under the SECURE Act 10-year rule, most non-spouse trust beneficiaries must deplete the inherited IRA within 10 years of the owner's death. Consult a tax advisor before naming a trust as IRA beneficiary, as the tax treatment differs significantly from naming individuals.
New England FCU's Death Claims / Member Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-400-8790 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple New England FCU accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Death Claims / Member Services to confirm what applies.
Phone1-800-400-8790
Toll-Free1-800-400-8790
Mailing Address
EastRise Credit Union, P.O. Box 527, Williston, VT 05495
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-400-8790
Toll-Free1-800-400-8790
Mailing Address
EastRise Credit Union, P.O. Box 527, Williston, VT 05495
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Member Services
Phone1-800-400-8790
Toll-Free1-800-400-8790
Mailing Address
EastRise Credit Union, P.O. Box 527, Williston, VT 05495
Verified Apr 2026
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Learn how to protect your New England FCU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
