Losing a loved one
Notifying financial institutions after someone has died can be stressful. We understand, so we made it easy to let us know a Schwab client has passed away.
What to expect
Here are the basic steps to notify us of a death and begin the inheritance process.
-
First things first. Notify us of a death.Notify us (and anyplace else where the person had an account) as soon as you can. We'll secure their Schwab accounts, and prepare to work with the estate. All you need is their name and Social Security number.
-
Death certificate verificationYou can also upload the death certificate now if you have it. Once we verify the certificate—typically within 5 business days—the inheritance process begins. We'll reach out to the inheritors and estate professionals associated with the account, as appropriate, to move forward.
-
Asset transferThe time it will take depends on the circumstances and how quickly inheritors complete the paperwork. Most transfers are completed in a few weeks.
Additional resources
-
After you notify us . . .
You might find these checklists helpful.
Action plan checklist (PDF) – A practical list of things to do, people you'll need to contact, and items to check.
Financial inventory checklist (PDF) – A comprehensive list of documents you might need.
-
You can call us
Speak with a Schwab Estate Services Specialist, including non-US support
877-566-2284
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ETBut this is faster
It usually takes just a few minutes.