What to do when an UFCU account holder dies
Report the death to UFCU's Member Services at 1-800-252-8311
The Member Services at UFCU 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 1-512-467-8080 or by sending documentation to members@ufcu.org. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with UFCU:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Copy of the death certificateEmailed to members@ufcu.org or faxed to (512) 421-7450.
- Satisfactory evidence of death, such as a certified death certificate or court order, before UFCU stops honoring the member's transactions
- Valid ID
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, depending on the situation
- Muniment of Title with will attached, depending on the situation
- Small Estate Affidavit, depending on the situation
- Tax Identification Number or Social Security Number, depending on the situation
- EIN documentation from the IRS on behalf of the estate, depending on the situation
- Court order or similar document acceptable to UFCU, for a multiple party account without right of survivorshipIt states the proper disposition of all funds.
- Copy of the trust document, if a trust is the beneficiary of a deposit accountEmailed to members@ufcu.org or faxed to (512) 421-7450.
- Original Letters Testamentary or Letters of Independent Administration, to open an estate account
- Original death certificate, to open an estate account
- Valid EIN, to open an estate account
- Valid photo identification card, to open an estate accountOne for every administrator, executor or co-executor added to the account.
Forms UFCU issues1
- Trust & Estate Account Opening Checklist & Form
Available to download.1
What happens to each kind of account7
- Payable-on-death account
Funds are paid to the named, living payable-on-death beneficiaries in equal shares. The beneficiary contacts UFCU after a death certificate is provided; once the beneficiary's identity is verified, the funds are disbursed by mail.2
- Joint account with survivorship
The balance belongs to the surviving owners. Services on the account are suspended 180 days after UFCU receives actual notice of the primary account holder's death; a joint account holder may open a separate account and transfer eligible funds if they still qualify for membership.3
Where the deceased person was not the primary owner, a copy of the death certificate is required to remove their name.2
The Survivorship Checklist says a joint account whose primary owner has died should be closed within 180 days of the date of death, because reporting to the IRS continues under the deceased member's Social Security number until the account is closed.4
- Joint account without survivorship
The remaining account holders provide a court order or similar document, acceptable to UFCU, stating the proper disposition of all funds.2
- Account in one name
Where there is no beneficiary designation, no probate proceeding or no estate, UFCU may, but is not required to, pay the funds to any heir, who is then solely responsible for further distribution. Otherwise UFCU may hold the funds until a proper court order is presented.2
- Certificate of deposit
UFCU may, at its option, pay a certificate before maturity without an early withdrawal penalty when an account owner dies.5
- Loan
UFCU reviews all of the member's loans and lines of credit for debt protection coverage and submits a claim if qualified. For a joint loan to remain open, the co-borrower applies to transfer it to their own name.2
- Credit card
For a joint credit card to remain open, the co-borrower applies to transfer it to their own name.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersTexas
- Texas
Tex. Est. Code § 152.051
Texas law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an order of the court, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Tex. Est. Code § 152.051Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: a funeral home or the applicant, for funeral and burial expenses
Limit: $5,000 in total from every holder
When: the application may be filed "not earlier than the third day after the date of the decedent's death and not later than nine months after the date of the decedent's death"
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
What UFCU's agreement and guidance say3
- Payments after the death
UFCU may keep honoring transfer orders, withdrawals, deposits and other transactions until it is notified of the death and provided satisfactory evidence, such as a certified death certificate or court order.2
After notice, UFCU may pay drafts or honor payments or transfer orders the member authorized for ten days, unless a person claiming an interest in the account instructs it to stop payment.2
- Debts owed to the institution
Any payment of funds on a member's death is subject to UFCU's lien and security interest.3
Where a loan has no debt protection, deposit balances may be applied to the outstanding loan balance.2
- Indemnity a claimant may have to give
UFCU may require proper documentary evidence before it releases funds, and may require anyone claiming the funds to indemnify it.2
Not in UFCU's published guidance1
- A mailing address for claim documents
Sources5
UFCU's Member Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-252-8311, email at members@ufcu.org, and fax at 1-512-421-7450 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from UFCU primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
UFCU death claims support
Member Services
Phone
Toll-free
Fax
Hours
Website
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