What to do when an Unitus CCU account holder dies
Report the death to Unitus CCU's Contact Center at 1-800-452-0900
After a member of Unitus CCU dies, the Contact 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.
Claims can be filed by phone (1-503-227-5571) or by emailing documentation to hello@unitusccu.com. Before reaching out, gather the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Unitus CCU:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Documents Unitus requests from the survivor or other claimant, before it releases the funds
- Indemnity from the person claiming the funds, if Unitus requires one
- Original trust agreement or a Certification of Trust, for trust accounts, on request
- Documents confirming the signer's authority to act for the estate, for decedent estate accounts, as Unitus requests
What happens to each kind of account6
- Account in one name
The interest passes, subject to applicable law, to the decedent's estate, a payable-on-death beneficiary or another entitled claimant, subject to Unitus's lien, offset rights and security interest.1
- Payable-on-death account
The account is paid on the death of the last owner to each surviving payable-on-death beneficiary in equal shares.1
- Joint account with survivorship
All funds pass to the surviving owner or owners, subject to Unitus's statutory lien for the deceased owner's obligations and any security interest or pledge the deceased owner granted.1
- Trust account
Unitus may withhold payment until proper evidence of authority is provided, may release funds to any one trustee, and must be told in writing of a change of trustee.1
- Fiduciary account
On a decedent estate account, each person signing represents that they are authorized to act in that fiduciary capacity and will furnish the documents Unitus requests to confirm that authority.1
- Certificate of deposit
A certificate of deposit may be paid before maturity without an early withdrawal penalty, at Unitus's option, when an account owner dies.2
State requirements Unitus CCU statesWashington
- Washington
For Washington residents, the agreement states that the member irrevocably waives the right to dispose of any Unitus account by will.1
State law on paying a balance without lettersOregon, Washington
- Oregon
ORS 723.466
Oregon law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.ORS 723.466Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: surviving spouse
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: at any time after the death
Paid to: Oregon Health Authority or Department of Human Services (no surviving spouse; preferred claim under ORS 411.708, 411.795 or 416.350)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not less than 46 days and no more than 75 days after the death
Paid to: surviving children 18 or older; else surviving parent(s); else surviving brothers and sisters 18 or older; else any other surviving heir
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 76 days after the death; not earlier than 46 days after the death where the institution obtains prior verbal or written authorization from both the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services
Paid to: estate administrator of the State Treasurer (intestate, no known heirs)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
- Washington
RCW 30A.22.190(2)
Washington law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $2,500 held at the institution
Paid to: the surviving spouse, next of kin, funeral director, or other creditor who may appear to be entitled thereto
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
RCW 30A.22.190(1)
Washington law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(1)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: The section sets no dollar limit.
Paid to: the surviving spouse (party to a community property agreement with the decedent that reaches the funds)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
What Unitus CCU's agreement and guidance say5
- Telling the institution
The agreement asks members to notify the credit union if any owner or authorized signer on the account dies. Until it is notified, Unitus may continue to honor transfers, withdrawals, deposits and other transactions on the account.1
- What it does when notified
Unitus may place a hold on the account and refuse to accept deposits or permit withdrawals until it can confirm the identity of the successor.1
- Payments after the death
After it is notified, Unitus may pay drafts and honor other payments or transfer orders the deceased member authorized for a reasonable period, unless a person claiming an interest in the account tells it to stop payment.1
- Deposits after the death
A deposit payable to the decedent that is credited after the date of death, including salary, pension, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, may be debited from the account and returned to the payer.1
- Indemnity a claimant may have to give
Unitus can require anyone who claims funds in the account after the death to indemnify the credit union for any losses resulting from honoring that claim.1
Not in Unitus CCU's published guidance3
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
- A small-estate procedure
- Membership
Sources2
- 1.Membership & Account Agreement, effective August 18, 2026
- 2.Certificates TIS, effective September 1, 2026
Mortgage and home lending
Mortgages and home equity loans are liabilities, not assets. They do not have beneficiaries and cannot be retitled to a trust.
Required Documents
- Signed authorization, when a third party asks for a loan payoff or loan informationSent by fax to 503-423-8330.
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-877-877-8367
Email: customerservice@loanadministration.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 5:30 AM-9:00 PM (Saturday hours differ between Unitus pages)
Federal law on calling a home loan after a death
These exemptions apply to a loan secured by residential real property containing less than five dwelling units.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d); 12 CFR 191.5(b), 141.14Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(3); 12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(iii)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(5)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become an owner of the property.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(6)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
A federal regulation sets further conditions on these transfers.12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(v)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Not in Unitus CCU's published guidance1
- A procedure for reporting a death
Required Documents
- Signed authorization, when a third party asks for a loan payoff or loan informationSent by fax to 503-423-8330.
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
The Equity Line Plus Disclosure lets Unitus terminate the account and require the entire outstanding balance if title to the property is transferred or sold.1
Not in Unitus CCU's published guidance1
- A procedure for reporting a death
Sources1
Unitus CCU's Contact Center can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-0900, email at hello@unitusccu.com, and fax at 1-503-423-8345 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Unitus CCU primary sources (27 pages reviewed). How we research.
Unitus CCU death claims support
Contact Center
Phone
Toll-free
Unitus Mortgage Servicing (existing first mortgage only)
Third-party loan payoff or loan verification
Fax
Hours
Website
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