Estate planning at SchoolsFirst FCU
How to protect 13 SchoolsFirst FCU accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file death claims
Phone1-800-462-8328
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-462-8328
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-800-462-8328
Toll-Free1-800-462-8328
Fax(714) 258-4366
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, Attention: Savings Account Administration, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
SchoolsFirst FCU offers 13 accounts, each with its own rules for what happens when a member dies. As a membership-based credit union, SchoolsFirst FCU serves educational community members (teachers, school employees, students) and their families in California. Over 70 branch locations throughout the state. Some transfer automatically to a named beneficiary, others can be held in a trust, and a few may require probate if no plan is in place.
Managing beneficiaries at SchoolsFirst FCU is straightforward—changes can be made in branch, by mail, and by phone, typically taking 15-30 minutes; 2 business days to become effective. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
SchoolsFirst FCU has documented procedures for both preparing accounts during your lifetime and handling claims when an account holder passes away.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 13 account types at SchoolsFirst FCU.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
7-step process, 5 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →SchoolsFirst FCU is not available nationwide. Estate planning procedures may vary by state, so confirm that your location is served before making account changes.
Frequently asked questions
Only on share certificates. Checking, savings, and money market accounts require POD beneficiaries to be natural persons (individuals only). Charities and non-profit organizations can be named as beneficiaries on share certificates.
SchoolsFirst provides estate planning advisory services through its financial professionals, who can review your financial plan and help you find a local estate planning attorney. They do not create will and trust documents directly. Investment and retirement advisory services are available through LPL Financial, a registered broker-dealer. Contact 800-462-8328, ext. 4116, option 2 or email investments@schoolsfirstfcu.org. Appointments can be scheduled at planningappointments.schoolsfirstfcu.org.
SchoolsFirst offers IRA Beneficiary Designation Forms (for Traditional and Roth IRAs), IRA applications, contribution election forms, withdrawal authorization forms, rollover/transfer forms, and required minimum distribution forms. All forms are available for download on the Retirement and Investment Forms page at schoolsfirstfcu.org or at any branch. Contact IRA services at 800-462-8328, ext. 4300.
Sources
Data sourced from SchoolsFirst FCU primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
Phone1-800-462-8328
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-462-8328
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-800-462-8328
Toll-Free1-800-462-8328
Fax(714) 258-4366
Mailing Address
SchoolsFirst FCU, Attention: Savings Account Administration, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1547
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your SchoolsFirst FCU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
