When someone passes away there are countless things that need to be done to finalise their estate which can feel overwhelming and confusing. To finalise your loved one's membership with People's Choice, there are some steps you can take.

What you need to do

Step 1. Notify us

Contact us as soon as you are able; you can either:

 

Step 2. Provide the information and documents we require to begin assisting you

When someone passes away, documents are required before we can release account and membership information.
We can only share information about the deceased’s account(s) and membership with specific people, so we will need to check the documents you provide to us to determine who we can provide information to and what further steps need to be taken.

If the deceased left a valid Will

If the deceased left a Will, we need the original or certified copies of the following documents:

  • Death Certificate
  • The Will

The executor(s) named in the Will will also need to provide their People’s Choice membership number or, if they don’t have a membership with People’s Choice, we require their contact details and proof of identity e.g. driver’s licence.

If the deceased did not leave a valid Will

If the deceased did not leave a Will, then a family member will need to act as the administrator of the estate. In some circumstances, the administrator will need to be appointed by the Supreme Court in the state or territory where the estate is held, under ‘Letters of Administration’. In other circumstances, you may be able to act as an administrator without Letters of Administration for the purposes of closing the deceased’s accounts and People’s Choice membership.

The administrator will need to provide us with original or certified copies of the following documents:

  • Death Certificate
  • A signed and witnessed Statutory Declaration made by the administrator stating:
  1. Their relationship to our deceased member
  2. That to the best of their knowledge the deceased did not have a valid Will
  3. That they are administering the deceased member’s estate.
  4. The administrator will also need to provide their People’s Choice membership number or if they don’t have a membership with People’s Choice, we require their contact details and proof of identity e.g. driver’s licence.

 

Step 3. What is required to close the accounts

Once we have received the initial documents, our Bereavement Care team will write to the executor or administrator to advise of the ‘closure requirements’ to finalise the deceased’s membership.

 

Step 4. When you’re ready, return the documents we have requested

Complete and return to us all the documentation we requested as outlined in the ‘closure requirements’ letter to the executor/administrator.
If you have questions about the process or require additional information about the requirements, our Bereavement Care team are here to help you. If a solicitor or accountant is assisting you, you can also seek their guidance.

 

Step 5. All accounts and facilities are finalised

Once we have received all the required documents about the deceased and a particular person’s authority to deal with the estate, we will close the accounts and membership. The remaining funds will be released as per the instructions provided by the authorised executor/administrator.

Other information

What happens to the accounts and products held by the deceased?

  • Cards

    All People's Choice cards held by the deceased member will be cancelled. Please destroy the cards by cutting in half, diagonally across the chip if there is one.

  • Sole loans, credit cards or overdrafts

    Interest accruals continue until the estate is settled. If you are the executor or administrator, please contact us to discuss payment options.

  • Joint loans, credit cards or overdrafts

    If the deceased held a loan, credit card or overdraft jointly with another person, that person will continue to have access to their joint facilities and are responsible for making payments. If you have any questions about your joint loans, credit cards or overdrafts, please call our National Contact Centre on 13 11 82 or visit your People's Choice branch to discuss available options.

  • Insurance

    It is important to find out if the deceased had any insurance policies (for example, home and contents insurance, health insurance, car insurance, life insurance).  Insurance providers must be notified so any plans can be transferred or cancelled as needed and new arrangements for premium payments can be made if required. 
    Important note: If the deceased held insurance policies with our CGU insurance partner, CGU requires that documentation is provided to them to verify that the executor/administrator has the authority to act in order to be able to amend or cancel the policy.

  • Transfer Orders/Direct Debits

    All Transfer Orders and Direct Debits will be cancelled except for:

      • Transfers to any People's Choice credit card/overdraft or loan in the deceased's sole name
      • Existing transfers to bonus interest savings accounts in the deceased’s sole name

  • Sole Term Deposit Accounts

    Interest will continue to accrue on Term Deposit accounts until the membership is finalised. Any early withdrawal fees will be waived, and interest accrued up until account closure will be paid.

  • Joint Term Deposit Accounts, Joint Savings Accounts and Joint Transaction Accounts

    Joint accounts can be changed to be held solely by the surviving member upon request and after we have received a certified copy of the Death Certificate.

  • Pensions

    If you are the executor or administrator of the estate you will need to notify the relevant pension paying authorities (Australian and/or International) of the death of the member.

  • Sole Term Deposit Accounts

    Interest will continue to accrue on Term Deposit accounts until the membership is finalised. Any early withdrawal fees will be waived, and interest accrued up until account closure will be paid.

  • Joint Term Deposit Accounts, Joint Savings Accounts and Joint Transaction Accounts

    Joint accounts can be changed to be held solely by the surviving member upon request and after we have received a certified copy of the Death Certificate.

  • Pensions

    If you are the executor or administrator of the estate you will need to notify the relevant pension paying authorities (Australian and/or International) of the death of the member.

  • Cards

    All People's Choice cards held by the deceased member will be cancelled. Please destroy the cards by cutting in half, diagonally across the chip if there is one.

  • Sole loans, credit cards or overdrafts

    Interest accruals continue until the estate is settled. If you are the executor or administrator, please contact us to discuss payment options.

  • Joint loans, credit cards or overdrafts

    If the deceased held a loan, credit card or overdraft jointly with another person, that person will continue to have access to their joint facilities and are responsible for making payments. If you have any questions about your joint loans, credit cards or overdrafts, please call our National Contact Centre on 13 11 82 or visit your People's Choice branch to discuss available options.

  • Insurance

    It is important to find out if the deceased had any insurance policies (for example, home and contents insurance, health insurance, car insurance, life insurance).  Insurance providers must be notified so any plans can be transferred or cancelled as needed and new arrangements for premium payments can be made if required. 
    Important note: If the deceased held insurance policies with our CGU insurance partner, CGU requires that documentation is provided to them to verify that the executor/administrator has the authority to act in order to be able to amend or cancel the policy.

  • Transfer Orders/Direct Debits

    All Transfer Orders and Direct Debits will be cancelled except for:

      • Transfers to any People's Choice credit card/overdraft or loan in the deceased's sole name
      • Existing transfers to bonus interest savings accounts in the deceased’s sole name

  • Sole Term Deposit Accounts

    Interest will continue to accrue on Term Deposit accounts until the membership is finalised. Any early withdrawal fees will be waived, and interest accrued up until account closure will be paid.

  • Joint Term Deposit Accounts, Joint Savings Accounts and Joint Transaction Accounts

    Joint accounts can be changed to be held solely by the surviving member upon request and after we have received a certified copy of the Death Certificate.

  • Pensions

    If you are the executor or administrator of the estate you will need to notify the relevant pension paying authorities (Australian and/or International) of the death of the member.

  • Cards

    All People's Choice cards held by the deceased member will be cancelled. Please destroy the cards by cutting in half, diagonally across the chip if there is one.

  • Sole loans, credit cards or overdrafts

    Interest accruals continue until the estate is settled. If you are the executor or administrator, please contact us to discuss payment options.

  • Joint loans, credit cards or overdrafts

    If the deceased held a loan, credit card or overdraft jointly with another person, that person will continue to have access to their joint facilities and are responsible for making payments. If you have any questions about your joint loans, credit cards or overdrafts, please call our National Contact Centre on 13 11 82 or visit your People's Choice branch to discuss available options.

Seeking the advice of a Solicitor

If you need more information about your responsibilities as an executor or administrator of the estate such as applying for Probate or Letters of Administration, dealing with real estate or finalising tax matters, we recommend you seek the advice of a Solicitor.

    If the estate is in financial difficulty

    If the estate is in financial difficulty and you need assistance with the estate, we recommend that you seek legal assistance, which can be obtained from one of the free legal services or helplines available in all Australian States and Territories. You may be able to find contact details for these services by speaking to your funeral director or contacting organisations such as Anglicare or your local council.

      Frequently asked questions

      Notify other people and organisations

      There may be other people and organisations you need to notify. To help you identify who you may need to contact, download the form here.
      Who to tell - Services Australia

        Looking after yourself

        This is a difficult time, so it is important to take care of yourself and look after your mental and physical health. To access confidential counselling services, you can contact Lifeline Australia, Beyond Blue, Mensline Australia or Griefline.

        Other organisations that can help

        Need some help? We've got you covered. 

        Get in touch with us and we can help you get the answers you need.

        Important to know

        • Non-family cannot administer an intestate estate.
        • People’s Choice Credit Union is a trading name of Heritage and People's Choice Ltd ABN 11 087 651 125, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 244310.