Frequently Asked Questions
The death certificate gives us the information needed to verify the identity and legal residence of our customer.
It is best to notify Third Federal as soon as possible. This will help to ensure any debits and credits that should cease when the client passes are properly stopped. Third Federal is here to assist you with this process. To speak with an associate visit a branch or call our Customer Care Service department at 1-844-798-7784.
You can go to a branch near you and bring the death certificate in person, or
You may also mail it to:
Third Federal Saving & Loan
Attn: Legal - Deposit Operations
7007 Broadway Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44105
It depends on your specific circumstances. The laws of the state of residence of the deceased provide state-specific rules for requesting and transferring the deceased customer's funds, which may impose additional requirements. We'll work with you on what may be required specific to your needs.
For formal probate, we may request court-issued letters testamentary or letters of administration appointing an executor or administrator. These documents are issued by the court when formal probate of an estate is required under applicable state law. Either of these documents serves to confirm the identity of the deceased account holder and party/parties who have authority to handle the estate. To obtain these documents, please consult your personal legal counsel.
For small estates, we may request a properly executed small estate affidavit or court order, in accordance with state laws. This document may be used to disperse a deceased customer's account when formal probate is not required under state law. The requirements and availability of this process vary from state-to-state. To obtain these documents, please consult your personal legal counsel.
Original or Certified copy of appointment papers – including any of the following, as applicable:
- Letters of Testamentary
- Probate court documents
- Domiciliary letters
- Letters of Appointment
- Letters to General or Special Administration
- Obtain and present an Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued for the estate
- Identification documentation for the executor(ix)/personal representative
Probate is the process of gathering a decedent's assets, paying the creditors and any taxes owed and then distributing the remainder according to the will (testate distribution) or state law (interstate distribution), as applicable.
A beneficiary is the person or persons who receive the assets of an estate after all debts are satisfied. Also, a person named in an informal trust as In Trust For (ITF) or Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary on bank records.
A fiduciary is a person who has been entrusted with the responsibility to manage the assets or rights of another person. A fiduciary may also be referred to as a guardian, conservator, executor, administrator, trustee, representative payee, custodian or, in some cases, an attorney-in-fact (agent).
An administrator is the person or corporation appointed by a court to settle the estate of a deceased person if no valid will can be found, or if there is a will and the named fiduciary does not serve.
An executor or executrix is the person or corporation appointed by a will to settle the estate of a deceased person and approved by the court to serve as such.
This can vary based on the specific type of account ownership. For example, for individually owned accounts, the applicable transfer process (formal probate, small estate process) generally determines when an account will be closed. The person authorized to handle the estate will need to present the state-specific documents establishing their authority.
The specifics of each account are different, so the time it may take to settle an account will also vary. We begin to process a request as soon as we receive the necessary documents.
Agencies you may need to contact include:
- Social Security Administration - 800-772-1213
- Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS) - 888-332-7411
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/National Cemetery Administration - 800-827-1000
- Office of Personnel Management - 202-606-1800
- Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) - 877-772-5772
Still have questions? For more information please call our Customer Care line at 1-844-798-7784 or visit our Contact Us page for more ways to get in touch.
