Overview
Quorum Federal Credit Union is a nationwide federal credit union best known among executors for one thing: it is the only institution we've found that lets you open an estate account fully online — application, document upload, and funding without a branch visit, notarization, or mailed paperwork.
For most banks, opening an estate account means an in-person appointment in the deceased's home state. That's a real obstacle for the many executors who live out of state, can't take time off work, or are settling an estate remotely. Quorum's online estate account — its "Probate Express" product — is designed for exactly those situations.
SwiftProbate has partnered with Quorum to make this process easier for our users — you can open an estate account online with Quorum directly. This guide walks through who it's right for, what documents you'll need, the timeline, and the few states where it won't work.
This guide provides informational guidance only. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice, and SwiftProbate is not a law firm. Policies, fees, and state rules change — verify current requirements directly with Quorum and consider consulting a qualified attorney.
Notification Process
How to Open an Estate Account at Quorum
Step 1: Get Your Core Documents First
Before you apply, make sure you have:
- The estate's EIN and the IRS assignment letter (CP 575)
- Your Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
- A certified death certificate
- Your government-issued photo ID
If you don't have an EIN yet, you can apply online at IRS.gov — it's free and issued immediately. See our guide to getting an EIN for an estate.
Step 2: Start the Online Application
Begin the application directly at Quorum's online estate account signup. It takes a few minutes and is filled out entirely online.
Step 3: Upload Your Documents
Upload your ID, certified death certificate, Letters, and the EIN assignment letter through Quorum's secure portal. No mailing or notarization required.
Step 4: Confirm Membership Eligibility
The executor does not need to be a Quorum member personally. Under federal credit union rules, either the deceased or all beneficiaries must be (or become) members — but Quorum membership is free and broadly available nationwide. Most applicants qualify without restriction.
Step 5: Account Opens — Usually Within 24 Hours
Once your documents are verified, the estate account is typically open within 24 hours. You can then fund it and begin paying estate expenses and consolidating the deceased's assets.
If the deceased was already a Quorum member, you'll also need to settle their existing accounts. Contact Quorum to have a deceased flag placed and to follow their member-account settlement process in addition to opening the estate account.
Required Documents
Documents Quorum Requires to Open an Estate Account
Always Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Estate EIN + IRS assignment letter (CP 575) | Apply free at IRS.gov; issued immediately online |
| Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration | Issued by the probate court — certified and recent |
| Certified death certificate | County vital records office or funeral home |
| Executor's government-issued photo ID | Driver's license, passport, or state ID |
If Settling a Deceased Member's Existing Accounts
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Certified death certificate | Usually the primary document for beneficiary/joint accounts |
| Beneficiary claim form | Provided by Quorum for POD/TOD accounts |
| Trust certification | For trust-held accounts, with successor trustee ID |
Account Types
How Quorum Handles Estate-Related Accounts
Estate Account (the online product)
This is Quorum's standout offering: a fiduciary account titled in the name of the estate (e.g. "Estate of [Deceased], [Your Name], Executor"), opened fully online using the estate's EIN and your court-issued Letters. No branch visit required.
Timeline: Typically opens within 24 hours of document verification
Joint Accounts (JTWROS)
If the deceased held a joint Quorum account, the surviving owner typically needs only a certified death certificate to have the decedent's name removed.
Timeline: A few business days
POD / TOD Beneficiary Accounts
Named beneficiaries claim funds with a death certificate, ID, and beneficiary claim form. No probate required.
Timeline: Several business days
Individual Accounts (Probate Required)
Accounts held solely in the deceased's name with no beneficiary require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Timeline: Depends on probate (months)
State Considerations
Where Quorum's Online Estate Account Works — and Where It Doesn't
Quorum operates nationwide, but a handful of states have rules that make an online-only credit union account unworkable for the initial opening. Always confirm against your court's Letters and your county's requirements.
Florida — Restricted Depositories
Many Florida counties (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, and others) require estate funds to be held in a court-designated restricted depository — a bank with a physical branch in the probate county. This generally rules out Quorum and any online-only institution for those estates.
New York — In-State Opening Rule
New York banking law requires estate accounts to be opened physically at a branch within New York State. That rules out Quorum for the initial opening, even if you can transact online afterward.
Co-Executors
If multiple co-executors must be on the signature card together, confirm Quorum's policy before applying — joint co-executor openings sometimes require an in-person process.
Restricted Letters
If your Letters carry restrictions requiring a court-approved depository, check with your probate attorney before applying.
For detailed local rules, see our state and county probate guides and our full estate bank account comparison.
Timelines
How Long Quorum Takes
| Step | Estimated Timeline | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | A few minutes | Filled out entirely online |
| Document verification | Same day to ~24 hours | Depends on document completeness |
| Estate account opened | Typically within 24 hours | After verification |
| Deceased member account settlement | Several business days | If the deceased banked at Quorum |
The single biggest cause of delay is missing or expired documents — make sure your Letters are recent and your EIN letter is in hand before you apply.
Tips & Pitfalls
Tips and Things to Watch For
Membership Is Free — and the Executor Doesn't Need to Join
You do not need to be a Quorum member to open the estate account. Either the deceased or all beneficiaries must be (or become) members, but membership is free and broadly available nationwide.
Small Minimum Deposit
A $5 minimum deposit funds the underlying basic savings account; Quorum has historically covered this for applicants. There's no opening fee and no monthly service fee.
Not for Florida Restricted-Depository or New York Estates
If your county requires a restricted depository (common in Florida) or you're in New York, you'll need a bank with a local branch instead. See the state considerations above.
Have Your EIN Before You Apply
The estate account is opened in the estate's name using its own EIN — not the deceased's Social Security number. Get the EIN first.
Order Extra Certified Death Certificates
Order at least 5–10 certified copies — you'll need them for other institutions, the court, and government agencies.