What to do when a Sunmark account holder dies
Contact Sunmark — 4-step process, 6 required documents, and pod and joint accounts typically processed within 5-10 business days upon verification of documents; estate accounts vary based on probate requirements
Sunmark Credit Union, 1187 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110
Sunmark Credit Union, 1187 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110
Member Solutions Center
Sunmark Credit Union, 1187 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110
After a member of Sunmark dies, the Member Solutions Center manages the transfer of accounts. POD-designated and trust-owned accounts pass directly to beneficiaries. Accounts held solely in the member's name may require probate court documents—Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration—before funds can be released.
Begin by calling Sunmark at 1-866-786-6275. You will need the deceased's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate to get the process started.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Sunmark works as follows:
Filing a claim
- For POD accounts: beneficiary provides death certificate and government-issued photo ID to claim funds
- For joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving owner provides death certificate to remove the deceased member
- For accounts without POD or joint ownership: executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
- For IRA accounts: beneficiary provides death certificate, photo ID, and completed beneficiary claim form
- For investment accounts held through LPL Financial: a separate claims process applies through the Wealth Management team
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the 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 New York law)
- Trust documents (if trust is named as beneficiary)
- IRA beneficiary claim form (for IRA accounts)
What to know at this institution
Contact the Member Solutions Center at 866-786-6275 or visit any of the 17 financial center locations to begin the process. New York Surrogate's Court issues Letters Testamentary (for estates with a will) or Letters of Administration (for estates without a will). Small estates under $50,000 in personal property may qualify for a Small Estate Affidavit under New York SCPA 1301.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Sunmark
Sunmark accepts a claimant-drafted letter of instruction. We draft it for you — addressed to Sunmark's verified claims department, with the documents it requires enclosed.
Build your letter of instructionExpected timelines at Sunmark: POD and joint accounts typically processed within 5-10 business days upon verification of documents; estate accounts vary based on probate requirements. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Sunmark requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the 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
Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary designations are available on Sunmark deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, and share certificates). Visit any financial center with a government-issued photo ID and request a POD beneficiary designation form. Provide each beneficiary's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship. You may designate primary and contingent beneficiaries and specify percentage allocations across multiple beneficiaries. You can also call the Member Solutions Center at (866) 786-6275 (Mon-Tue 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Wed 9:30 AM-5:00 PM, Thu-Fri 8:00 AM-6:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM-1:00 PM ET). For IRA accounts, a separate beneficiary designation form is required. Investment accounts through LPL Financial have their own beneficiary process.
When a Sunmark member passes away, the process depends on account type: accounts with a POD beneficiary are claimed directly by the beneficiary upon presenting a death certificate and photo ID; joint accounts with right of survivorship transfer to the surviving owner; accounts without a POD or joint owner require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court. New York Small Estates Affidavit (under $50,000 in personal property) may be accepted under SCPA 1301. Contact the Member Solutions Center at 866-786-6275 or visit any financial center to initiate the process. IRA beneficiary claims require a completed beneficiary claim form. Investment accounts held through LPL Financial have a separate claims process.
Sunmark's Member Solutions Center can be reached by phone at 1-866-786-6275 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Sunmark accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Member Solutions Center can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Sources
Data sourced from Sunmark primary sources (14 pages reviewed). How we research.
Sunmark Credit Union, 1187 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110
Sunmark Credit Union, 1187 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110
Member Solutions Center
Sunmark Credit Union, 1187 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110
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