What to do when a Polish National CU account holder dies
Report the death to Polish National CU at 1-866-592-7628
Polish National CU 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 first step is contacting Polish National CU with the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate in hand.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Polish National CU:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Court appointment of the executor or administrator, for an executor or administrator acting for the estateThe Terms refer to executors and administrators acting "under court orders".
- Identification, for anyone opening an accountName, address, date of birth and other identifying information. PNCU may ask to see a driver's license or other identifying documents.
What happens to each kind of account3
- Joint account with survivorship
On a joint account with survivorship, "when you die the balance in the account (subject to any previous pledge to which we have agreed) will belong to the survivor(s)."1
- Trust account
On a Revocable Trust Account (in trust for another), on the death of the trustee, or of both trustees, payment may be made to the person for whom the trust was made or to that person's legal representative.1
- Fiduciary account
The Terms state that an account "may be opened and maintained by a person or persons named ... as executors, administrators, or conservators under court orders."1
State law on paying a balance without lettersMassachusetts
- Massachusetts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 171, § 42
Massachusetts law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on proof the institution accepts, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 171, § 42Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $10,000 held at the institution
When: after the expiration of 30 days from the death of the depositor or shareholder
Paid to: the surviving spouse of the deceased depositor; if there be no surviving spouse, the next of kin of the deceased (in that order)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
What Polish National CU's agreement and guidance say8
- Telling the institution
The personal Terms and Conditions provide for notice to PNCU "promptly if any person with a right to withdraw funds from your account(s) dies."1
- Payments after the death
PNCU may keep honoring checks and instructions until it knows of the death and has had a reasonable opportunity to act. It "may pay or certify checks drawn on or before the date of death" for up to ten days after the death, unless someone claiming an interest in the account orders payment stopped.1
- Powers of attorney
An authorized signer's authority "is automatically terminated by the death of the owner."1
- Disputes between claimants
PNCU may place an administrative hold on funds subject to a claim by "others claiming an interest as survivors or beneficiaries of your account" until a court decides the claim or PNCU receives "evidence satisfactory to us that the dispute has been resolved."1
- Deposits after the death
If PNCU must reimburse the federal government for a benefit payment direct-deposited to the account, the Terms allow it to deduct that amount from the account or from any other account the member has at PNCU.1
- Which state governs the account
The personal Terms and Conditions are governed by federal law and the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.1
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
PNCU's Fee Schedule lists an inactivity fee of $5.00 per month after 365 days of account inactivity.2
- Fees
PNCU's Fee Schedule lists an early account closeout fee of $25.00 for accounts closed before 180 days, a research fee of $30.00 per hour, and a lost passbook fee of $20.00.2
Not in Polish National CU's published guidance6
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A claim form
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A fax number for claim documents
- An online way to report a death
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
Sources2
- 1.Terms & Conditions - Personal
- 2.Fee Schedule, effective July 2025
Sources
(4)·
Data sourced from Polish National CU primary sources (29 pages reviewed). How we research.
Polish National CU death claims support
Contact Center
Phone
Toll-free
Chicopee Office
Wilbraham Office
Granby Office
Westfield Office
Southampton Office
Hampden Office
East Longmeadow Office
24 Hour Automated Telephone Banking
Lost, stolen or compromised debit card (after hours)
International Hot Card
Card Activation
Hours
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Polish National CU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for your state.
Affidavit of Death
Put a joint owner's or a transfer on death deed owner's death on the land records with the affidavit your state's statute names, laid out for recording.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for your state.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
What Happens to Jointly Owned Property When an Owner Dies?
See what your state records when a joint tenant with right of survivorship dies: an affidavit, the death certificate or a new deed.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
