What to do when a Star One account holder dies
Report the death to Star One at 1-866-543-5202
Star One 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 Star One. You will need the deceased's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate to get the process started.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Star One:
Filing a claim
- Open it in a branch or by Virtual Branch video appointment, where no notary is needed, or by mail with the form signed in front of a notary.
- Supporting documents are IRS Form SS-4, a certified Court Letter of Testamentary or Administration, and a certified copy of the death certificate.
- By mail, include a photocopy of a valid U.S. driver's license or state-issued ID card and send to Star One Credit Union, P.O. Box 3643, Sunnyvale CA 94088-3643.
Required Documents
- Documents Star One requests from the survivor or other claimantStar One may require them before it releases funds.
- Indemnification of Star One, if required
- IRS Form SS-4, Application for EIN/TIN, to open an estate account
- Certified Court Letter of Testamentary or Administration, to open an estate account
- Certified copy of the death certificate, to open an estate account
- Photocopy of a valid U.S. driver's license or state-issued ID card, to open an estate account by mail
Forms Star One issues1
- Membership and Account Card - Estate
Completed by the executor or administrator. Available to download.1, 2
What happens to each kind of account5
- Joint account with survivorship
The deceased owner's interest becomes the property of the surviving joint owners, subject to the credit union's statutory lien and security interest for the deceased owner's obligations.3
- Payable-on-death account
A Pay-on-Death account is payable to the named and surviving beneficiaries after the death of the last owner.3
- Account in one name
On an individual account without a Pay-on-Death beneficiary, the interest passes, subject to applicable law, to the deceased person's estate.3
- IRA
IRAs are governed by a separate beneficiary designation.3
- Fiduciary account
The estate is the sole owner of an estate account. The executor or administrator is authorized to transact but holds no ownership interest.3
The estate form lists up to three executors or administrators and collects the estate name and TIN. It requires a member number and is used to update an existing membership or open an additional membership.1
What Star One's agreement and guidance say2
- Payments after the death
Star One may continue to honor transactions until it learns of an account owner's death. After that it may pay checks and honor payments or transfers authorized by the deceased member for ten calendar days, unless a person claiming an interest in the account instructs it to stop payment.3
- Indemnity a claimant may have to give
Star One may require anyone claiming funds after the owner's death to indemnify the credit union.3
Sources
Data sourced from Star One primary sources (34 pages reviewed). How we research.
Star One death claims support
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Death notifications go through general customer service.
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