How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Whitefish CU
Trust paperwork is taken online
There are two ways to keep your Whitefish CU accounts out of probate: adding Payable on Death designations and retitling accounts into a trust. Because Whitefish CU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Both methods ensure your accounts transfer directly to the people you choose, without court involvement.
Whitefish CU has 7 accounts with different estate transfer rules. Here is how beneficiary designations, trust ownership, and probate apply to each one.
- The Open An Account page links a separate "Other Accounts" application for Revocable Trust and Irrevocable Trust accounts (also Conservator, Estate, Montana Medical, and Representative Payee)
- Questions: (406) 862-3525 or (877) 862-3525
Required Documents
- Name, address and date of birth (for each person opening the account). The credit union may ask to see a driver's license or other identifying documents
Beneficiary designation is not available for retirement accounts at Whitefish CU.
What Whitefish CU says about trust accounts
Each section is Whitefish CU's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
What Whitefish CU says about trust accounts1
- Membership
Under Bylaws Art. III Sec. 6, for a revocable trust the settlor must be a member of the credit union in his or her own right. For an irrevocable trust either the settlor or the beneficiary must be a member.2
The name of the beneficiary must be stated in both revocable and irrevocable trusts. A trust may be a member as an entity if all settlors, beneficiaries, and trustees are within the field of membership.2
Not in Whitefish CU's published guidance5
- A beneficiary designation form
- Payable-on-death designation procedure
- Trust document list
- Certification of trust form
- How long a change takes
Sources2
- 1.Open An Account
- 2.Whitefish Credit Union Bylaws, updated May 15, 2025
Sources
Data sourced from Whitefish CU primary sources (10 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Whitefish CU instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Whitefish CU primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Whitefish CU estate support
General Help and Information
Phone
Toll-free
Telephone Teller (24-hour automated)
Mailing address
Website
Estate requests go through general customer service.
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