My father passed away last week. I am an only child and my mother has passed away about 10 years ago. How do I prove that I am the beneficiary to his credit union if my father didn’t have me listed on his account?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

My father passed away last week. I am an only child and my mother has passed away about 10 years ago. How do I prove that I am the beneficiary to his credit union if my father didn’t have me listed on his account?

I have the original paperwork stating that I am the only beneficiary regarding his life insurance policy and on miscellaneous papers I have run across. When I called to notify the credit union of his death, they said that I should start finding an attorney for his estate.

Asked on October 4, 2017 under Estate Planning, Illinois

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

I am so sorry for your loss. What the credit union wants is something that is sanctioned by the Probate Courts that would permit them to release the funds to your Father's Estate.  Is the credit union a checking or savings account?  Is his entire estate under $100,000.00?  If the answer is "yes" then Illinois allows you to file a small estate affidavit that would make the Probate process easier.  Generally one would file a Petition for Letters of Administration (no Will) to appoint you as the Personal Representative of your Father's estate.  You would file the Petition in the County in which he resided at the time of his death.  Likely you will need an Affidavit from some one who knows you and your family situation to prove that you are the only descendant of your Father and that there are no others lurking around.  It would be some one who knows you and your family for some time.  The Probate Court clerks are very helpful with all of this.  Also call your local Bar Association and see if they have a referral service and anyone offers free or reduced rate comsultations.  Then see if an attorney will help you for a flat rate or hourly fee.  Good luck.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption