Banking support when you need it most
We're here to provide guidance with managing the finances of someone who has passed away.
We want to help you through this difficult time
We’re here to take care of the banking details so you can focus on what matters most.
First Steps
Notify Us
Next Steps
Support
Top Questions
First steps
When someone passes away, there are decisions to be made that can feel overwhelming. Let us guide you through those first steps.
Gather legal documents
Obtain a certified copy the death certificate. Most organizations will need to see it before settling any affairs.
Determine account ownership
Depending on account ownership, different documents will be needed.
Take care of yourself and loved ones
RCU partners with many nonprofit organizations to address important issues faced by individuals, families, and communities.
Other things to keep in mind
Contact other organizations
You might need to tell other organizations or service providers about the person’s death, such as government agencies, utility companies, subscriptions, etc.
Manage the estate
If the person passed away with or without a will, you may need to file formal probate, which is a legal document giving you the authority to deal with a deceased person’s affairs.
Beware of scams
Scammers will look for details from obituaries, funeral homes, hospitals, stolen death certificates, and social media websites to obtain personal information about a departed individual. Scammers might then use this information to ‘reconnect’ with a bereaved family, claiming to be owed money, or use it to access or open financial accounts, take out loans, and file fraudulent tax returns to collect refunds.
Notify us
However you choose to contact us, you’ll only need the person’s name, address, and date of birth to notify us of their death.
More support
Don’t see your question?
Prepare for the future
No one wants to think about what happens when they’re gone, but being adequately prepared for the future is the best way to ensure you’ve covered what, and who, matters most.
Have a question?
At RCU, we're known for our reliable service, and we'll answer your questions and calls quickly.
Notify RCU of the loss of a loved one
Already have an RCU account?
(Fill out the form through digital banking)
Don’t have an RCU account?
(Only takes about 5 minutes)
What documents does RCU need?
You can mail, or bring these documents to a branch – we’ll make photocopies and return the originals to you.
If mailing, please use the following address:
Redwood Credit Union
Attn: Account Services
PO Box 6104
Santa Rosa, CA 95406
Individual Account
- A certified copy of the final death certificate (this will be returned to you once it has been verified by Redwood Credit Union).
- A current copy of your government-issued ID.
- A signed letter of instructions from the beneficiary(ies), along with a copy of their current government-issued ID, detailing how they would like to receive their portion of the funds.
- Please include any updated contact information.
Account with no beneficiary?
Along with the above, please include one of the following documents:
- Certified copy of the Letters of Testamentary, issued in the state of California and bearing an original raised court seal.
- Certified copy of the Letters of Administration, issued in the state of California and bearing an original raised court seal.
- Notarized Affidavit Pursuant to CA Probate Code Section 13100 if the estate is not proceeding through probate.
Joint Accounts
- A certified copy of the final death certificate (this will be returned to you once it has been verified by Redwood Credit Union).
- Update Membership application.
- Joint Removal Authorization Form.
Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or HSA account
- A certified copy of the final death certificate (this will be returned to you once it has been verified by Redwood Credit Union).
- Information for all beneficiaries including birthdate, social security number, mailing address, phone number and email address.
- Once all beneficiary information has been received, the beneficiaries will get letters from Ascensus in about 2-3 weeks.
- The beneficiaries will need to complete the included Beneficiary Payment Election form and return it to Redwood Credit Union or Ascensus.
Trust Account – All Trustors are Deceased
- A certified copy of the final death certificate(s) (this will be returned to you once it has been verified by Redwood Credit Union).
- Updated Certification of Trust document indicating the new trustee(s) for the trust account.
How to get a death certificate
You can request a copy from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) or the county where the death occurred. We recommend obtaining more than one certified copy of the death certificate as most organizations will need to see it before settling any affairs and may not return it.
Funeral home or mortuary
You can request a copy through a funeral home or mortuary, but you may need to pay an additional fee for this service.
Death records are available two weeks after the date of death. The application requires the deceased person’s full name, Social Security number, date of death, and place of death. Processing time is usually at least 5–7 weeks
CDPH
You can request a copy by mail, electronically, or in person from the California Department of Public Health. You can also use VitalChek, a third-party website that processes requests online for the CDPH.
County
You can request a copy from the County Recorder or County Clerk in the jurisdiction where the death occurred
What happens if you have a foreign death certificate?
The death of a U.S. citizen in a foreign country may be reported to the nearest U.S. consular office. If reported, and a copy of the local death certificate and evidence of U.S. citizenship are presented, the consul prepares the official Report of the Death of an American Citizen Abroad’ (Form OF-180).
For more information visit cdc.org
Who can receive a copy of a death certificate?
The following people may receive a copy of a death certificate:
- The parent or legal guardian of the deceased
- A member of law enforcement or a representative of another governmental agency
- A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the deceased
- An attorney representing the deceased or the deceased’s estate
What happens with the estate?
In California, a trust and a will differ in several ways. A last will and testament is a legal document you create that specifies how your property will be distributed after you die, among other things. A trust is a legal vehicle that allows you to appoint a trustee (including yourself) to manage assets on behalf of a beneficiary or beneficiaries.
What happens with a trust?
- A trustor names a trustee to manage the assets of the trust.
- Trusts tend to be more expensive and more complex to maintain.
- Information about your estate stays private.
- A Declaration of Trust establishes the terms of the distribution of trust assets. The trustee is bound to observe these terms. A Declaration of Trust contained within a will creates a testamentary trust.
- If you establish a trust and then die, the only interruption to the trust will be the accession of a successor trustee if you were the trustee at the time you died. The administration of trust assets will not be otherwise affected by your death.
What happens with a will?
- Commonly known term for a “Last Will and Testament”.
- Only takes effect after you die.
- An executor may manage the probate estate until probate closes.
- Information about your estate may made public.
- Can specify funeral and burial wishes.
- Dictate how your property should be distributed to loved ones or organizations.
- Have a say over who should care for your dependent children.
What happens if there isn’t a will or trust?
- May need to Initiate probate proceedings by submitting the deceased’s death certificate to the probate court in the deceased’s county of residence.
- May need to file a final personal income tax return for the deceased.
- May need to file an income tax return for the estate itself.
- May need to pay federal estate taxes if the estate owes any (only about 0.5 percent of all estates are wealthy enough to owe estate taxes).
- May need to collect and inventory all estate assets.
- May need to pay all estate debts.
- May need to provide an accounting to the probate court
- May need to distribute estate assets as directed by the court (in accordance with California intestate succession law).
Important: If the deceased owned out-of-state real estate, a court in that state will distribute it in accordance with its own intestate succession law.
What documents does RCU need?
You can mail, or bring these documents to a branch – we’ll make photocopies and return the originals to you.
If mailing, please use the following address:
Redwood Credit Union
Attn: Account Services
PO Box 6104
Santa Rosa, CA 95406
Individual Account
- A certified copy of the final death certificate (this will be returned to you once it has been verified by Redwood Credit Union).
- A current copy of your government-issued ID.
- A signed letter of instructions from the beneficiary(ies), along with a copy of their current government-issued ID, detailing how they would like to receive their portion of the funds.
- Please include any updated contact information.
Account with no beneficiary?
Along with the above, please include one of the following documents:
- Certified copy of the Letters of Testamentary, issued in the state of California and bearing an original raised court seal.
- Certified copy of the Letters of Administration, issued in the state of California and bearing an original raised court seal.
- Notarized Affidavit Pursuant to CA Probate Code Section 13100 if the estate is not proceeding through probate.
Joint Accounts
- A certified copy of the final death certificate (this will be returned to you once it has been verified by Redwood Credit Union).
- Update Membership application.
- Joint Removal Authorization Form.
Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or HSA account
- A certified copy of the final death certificate (this will be returned to you once it has been verified by Redwood Credit Union).
- Information for all beneficiaries including birthdate, social security number, mailing address, phone number and email address.
- Once all beneficiary information has been received, the beneficiaries will get letters from Ascensus in about 2-3 weeks.
- The beneficiaries will need to complete the included Beneficiary Payment Election form and return it to Redwood Credit Union or Ascensus.
Trust Account – All Trustors are Deceased
- A certified copy of the final death certificate(s) (this will be returned to you once it has been verified by Redwood Credit Union).
- Updated Certification of Trust document indicating the new trustee(s) for the trust account.
PPP Forgiveness Application Deadline
Congress passed The Economic Aid Act which changed the deferment period from 6 months post covered period to 10 months post covered period. For example, if your covered period ended June 30, 2021, under the new guidelines the earliest your first loan payment wouldn’t be due until April 2022, and you have until then to request forgiveness. Please use the following calculation to help you identify when your forgiveness will be due:
- PPP borrowers may select a covered period anywhere from 8 weeks to 24 weeks.
- RCU is automatically calculating your loan due date based on a 24-week covered period, if you intend on using a shorter covered period please inform us immediately as this will impact your due date.
- Your correct deadline will be reflected in your online banking account.
If all or part of your PPP loan is not forgiven, your first loan payment will be due the first of the following month after a decision is made by the SBA.
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