What to do when a Webster First FCU account holder dies
Report the death to Webster First FCU's Member Service Center at 1-800-962-4452
When a member of Webster First FCU passes away, the Member Service Center 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 Webster First FCU at 1-800-962-4452. You will need the deceased's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate to get the process started.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Webster First FCU:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Death certificate, for a consumer loan or mortgage file
- Court orders appointing the executor, administrator, or conservator, to open a fiduciary account
What happens to each kind of account5
- Joint account with survivorship
The balance belongs to the surviving owner or owners.1
- Payable-on-death account
On a Revocable Trust Account, on the death of the trustee, or both trustees, payment may be made to the person for whom the trust was made, or that person's legal representative.1
- Certificate of deposit
The Terms and Conditions state that on the death of an owner the law permits, or in some cases requires, waiver of the early withdrawal penalty on a share certificate.1
- Fiduciary account
The Terms and Conditions state that an account may be opened and maintained by executors, administrators, or conservators under court orders.1
State law on paying a balance without lettersMassachusetts
- Massachusetts
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 167D, § 12
Massachusetts law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on proof the institution accepts, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 167D, § 12Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $10,000 held at the institution
When: after the expiration of 30 days from the death of such depositor
Paid to: the surviving spouse of said deceased depositor; if there be no surviving spouse, the next of kin of such deceased (in that order)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
Accounts handled elsewhere2
- Webster First consumer loan department
Consumer loans of a deceased borrower2
Phone: 1-800-962-4452 ext. 4098
- Webster First Mortgage Servicing department
Mortgages of a deceased borrower3
Phone: 1-800-962-4452 ext. 4094
What Webster First FCU's agreement and guidance say2
- Telling the institution
The Terms and Conditions ask account owners to notify Webster First promptly if any person with a right to withdraw funds from the account dies.1
- Payments after the death
Webster First may continue to honor checks, items, and instructions until it knows of the death and has had a reasonable opportunity to act. It may pay checks drawn on or before the date of death for up to ten days after the death unless someone claiming an interest in the account orders payment stopped.1
Not in Webster First FCU's published guidance3
- A procedure for reporting a death, for deposit accounts
- How long a claim takes
- A small-estate procedure
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
- Death certificate, for the mortgage file
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-962-4452 ext. 4094
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
A co-signer on the mortgage remains obligated to make payments on the loan.1, 2
Next steps vary based on what the deceased person planned to pay off the remaining balance, such as terms in a will, a trust, or a life insurance policy. If there were no plans, the credit union may foreclose on the property.1, 2
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
What Webster First FCU provides to the estate1
Sources2
Required Documents
- Death certificate, for the loan file
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-962-4452 ext. 4098
What happens to each kind of account1
Sources2
Required Documents
- Death certificate, for the loan file
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-962-4452 ext. 4098
What happens to each kind of account1
Sources2
Webster First FCU's Member Service Center can be reached by phone at 1-800-962-4452 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Webster First FCU primary sources (31 pages reviewed). How we research.
Webster First FCU death claims support
Member Service Center
Phone
Consumer loan department (deceased borrower)
Mortgage Servicing department (deceased borrower)
Hours
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Webster First FCU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
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