What to do when a VyStar account holder dies
Report the death to VyStar's Deceased Concierge Team at 1-904-420-5878
When a member of VyStar passes away, the Deceased Concierge Team handles the transition of accounts to beneficiaries or the estate. Accounts with Payable on Death designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate, while solely-owned accounts may require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
Begin by calling VyStar at 1-904-420-5878. 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 VyStar:
Filing a claim
- Call the Deceased Concierge Team at 904-420-5878 or visit a branch.
- Concierge Representatives serve as liaison between the next of kin, beneficiary or personal representative and VyStar's internal departments.
- Bring it to a branch, or mail an original or certified copy to VyStar Credit Union, ATTN: Deceased Processing, P.O. Box 45085, Jacksonville, FL 32232.
- VyStar makes a copy and returns the original.
Required Documents
- Death certificateAn original or certified copy. VyStar makes a copy and returns the original.
- Probate documents, for a person acting on behalf of the estateLetters of Administration, sometimes called Letters Testamentary, issued by the Probate Court.
What happens to each kind of account4
- Account in one name
An individual account passes to the estate or to the payable-on-death beneficiary.1
- Joint account with survivorship
A joint account passes to the surviving owner or owners unless it was opened without survivorship.1
Automatic payments through a joint account still go through. Joint owners contact each company to stop them.2
- Certificate of deposit
The certificate early withdrawal penalty does not apply to a withdrawal made after the death of any owner.3
- Loan
Representatives from the loan departments contact the family about mortgages, auto loans and credit cards.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersFlorida, Georgia
- Florida
Fla. Stat. § 735.303
Florida law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit made under oath, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Fla. Stat. § 735.303Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: family member (surviving spouse; else adult child; else adult descendant; else parent)
Limit: $2,000 held at the institution and $2,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 6 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.
- Georgia
O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239
Georgia law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: the surviving spouse; else the children; else the father and mother; else the brothers and sisters (subsection (b))
Limit: $15,000 held at the institution
Paid to: providers of funeral services and of services for the last illness (subsection (c))
Limit: $15,000 held at the institution
When: if no application for the deposit is made by any person named in subsection (b) of this Code section within 45 days from the death of the intestate depositor
The section applies where the person died without a will. The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
What VyStar's agreement and guidance say8
- What it does when notified
On notification VyStar restricts all of the member's individual accounts and stops all automatic payments.2
- Payments after the death
VyStar may pay checks drawn on the account for ten days after the death unless a person claiming an interest instructs it to stop.1
- Deposits after the death
Federal benefit payments received after the death, such as Social Security or Veterans' benefits, are returned to the government.2
- Debts owed to the institution
VyStar may offset loan balances before disbursing funds.2
- Who can get account information
Only a joint account owner, a listed beneficiary, or a person legally authorized to act for the estate may discuss the account. Probate documents are required of a person acting for the estate.2
- Wills, probate and small estates
VyStar does not accept a Last Will and Testament. Wills are submitted to the probate court, which appoints personal representatives.2
- Powers of attorney
A power of attorney cannot be used to settle a deceased person's account.2
- Indemnity a claimant may have to give
VyStar may require anyone claiming funds from a deceased owner's account to indemnify it.1
Not in VyStar's published guidance1
- A claim form
Sources3
- 1.Membership Booklet, July 1, 2025
- 2.Losing a Loved One
- 3.Certificate rates
Closing the account may take 30 to 90 days after notification, longer depending on account complexity.
VyStar's Deceased Concierge Team can be reached by phone at 1-904-420-5878 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from VyStar primary sources (28 pages reviewed). How we research.
VyStar death claims support
Deceased Concierge Team
Phone
Contact Center
Contact Center (toll-free)
Mailing address
Website
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