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What to do when a Service CU account holder dies

Report the death to Service CU's Inheritor Services at 1-800-936-7730 ext. 2255

The Inheritor Services at Service 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 claim process can be initiated by phone at 1-800-936-7730 ext. 2255 or by sending documentation to inheritorservices@servicecu.org. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate available when making initial contact.

Death claim process

Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Service CU:

Filing a claim

1
Call Inheritor Services at 1.800.936.7730, ext. 2255 (international: 00800.4728.2000, ext. 2255).
2
Email the required documents to inheritorservices@servicecu.org or fax them to 603.430.6559:
  • A photocopy of the death certificate
  • A Report of Casualty, if applicable
  • Executor information or a Certificate of Appointment, if applicable
3
For trust accounts, beneficiary accounts or solely owned accounts, contact Inheritor Services for the next steps.
4
To open an estate account (the decedent must have been an existing Service CU member who resided in the United States on the date of death):
  • Complete the Estate Account Application, which asks for the estate name, mailing address and EIN, and the executor or administrator's identification
  • Send it with the supporting court orders naming the executor or administrator by fax, email, or mail to Service Federal Credit Union, Attention: Inheritor Services, PO Box 1268, Portsmouth, NH 03802
5
Contact every company making automatic withdrawals from the account and tell them the member has passed away.

Required Documents

  • Death certificateService CU asks for a photocopy.
  • Report of Casualty, if applicable
  • Executor information or Certificate of Appointment, if applicable
  • Estate Account Application, to open an estate accountIt asks for the estate name, mailing address and EIN, and the executor or administrator's identification.
  • Court orders naming the executor or administrator, to open an estate account

Forms Service CU issues1

What happens to each kind of account2

Joint account with survivorship

In many cases Service CU can update the account to remove the deceased member and make the surviving joint owner the primary owner.3

Account in one name

Under the Bylaws, the share account of a deceased member, other than one held in joint tenancy with another member, may be continued until the close of the dividend period in which administration of the estate is completed.4

Accounts handled elsewhere1

Service CU Real Estate Department

A mortgage on which you are a co-borrower3

What Service CU's agreement and guidance say2

What it does when notified

The deceased member's cards are deactivated. A joint member can keep using their debit and credit cards until the account is closed.3

What it says about taxes

Service CU asks that a deceased member's accounts be closed as soon as possible to avoid IRS tax-filing complications.3

Not in Service CU's published guidance1

  • How long a claim takes

Sources4

Download instructions for the whole estate

Service CU's Inheritor Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-936-7730 ext. 2255, email at inheritorservices@servicecu.org, and fax at 1-603-430-6559 for questions throughout the claims process.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from Service CU primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.

Service CU death claims support

Inheritor Services

Fax

1-603-430-6559

Mailing address

Service Federal Credit Union, Attention: Inheritor Services, P.O. Box 1268, Portsmouth, NH 03802-1268
Verified Sep 2026

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