How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Amerant
Beneficiaries are managed in branch or by phone. Trust paperwork is taken in branch or by phone
There are two ways to keep your Amerant accounts out of probate: adding beneficiary designations and retitling eligible accounts into a revocable living trust. Which approach works best depends on the account type and your overall estate plan.
Each of Amerant's 8 accounts has different rules for how it transfers at death. The sections below explain the options for each.
Beneficiary form at Amerant
IRA agreement (for IRAs).
Required Documents
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- Government-issued photo ID (at a banking center)
- Written instructions for the split (for anything other than equal shares). On the signature card, a signed letter or another written communication the bank accepts
Required Documents
- Revocable living trust agreement or certification of trust. Amerant takes either
- Government-issued photo ID (for each trustee)
- Trust taxpayer identification number
- New signature card in the trustees' names
Required Documents
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- Government-issued photo ID (at a banking center)
- Written instructions for the split (for anything other than equal shares). On the signature card, a signed letter or another written communication the bank accepts
What Amerant says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is Amerant's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary2
- Payable-on-death account
Amerant reads "POD," "ITF," "ATF," "TOD" and "Totten Trust" wording in an account title or on the signature card as a POD designation.1
Section I.13 makes the signature card the controlling record of the account. In its absence, "our system of records shall be conclusive."1
- IRA
An IRA CD beneficiary is designated separately on the IRA agreement. The deposit-account POD designation does not cover it.2
Who can be named1
- A trust, IRAs
A trust can be named as the beneficiary of an IRA CD on the IRA agreement.2
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
- All accounts
Without written instructions (on the signature card, a signed letter or another acceptable written communication), Amerant pays each surviving POD beneficiary an equal amount.1
What a designation takes to be effective
- All accounts
The deposit agreement says state law "usually imposes requirements that must be met to create a POD account." If they are not met, the bank "may treat your account as though there is no POD beneficiary."1
Beneficiary forms Amerant issues1
- IRA agreement
For IRAs. Sent by the institution on request.2
What Amerant's agreement says about beneficiaries5
- Which state governs the account
Amerant acts on a POD designation "consistent with applicable Florida / Texas law on POD accounts."1
- What the owner keeps while living
A POD beneficiary acquires no interest in the account during the owner's lifetime. The owner can remove beneficiaries, change the account type or ownership, and withdraw the funds at will.1
- A beneficiary who dies first
A POD beneficiary must survive the owner to take.1
- No beneficiary survives
If no POD beneficiary survives, the deposit belongs to the estate of the last surviving owner.1
- A minor as beneficiary
For a minor POD beneficiary, Amerant pays the minor's legal guardians and may request the birth certificate and proof of custodianship.1
Which accounts a trust can hold1
- IRA
An IRA CD cannot be retitled to a trust.2
What Amerant says about trust accounts1
- Review of the trust document
Section I.13.e of the deposit agreement lets the bank require "an affidavit, certification or other documentation, including, without limit, copies of excerpts of any agreement, instrument or order pertaining to the account or fiduciary relationship."1
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Amerant Wealth Management trust team
Trust administration: opening and maintaining accounts, tax return processes and trust accounting4
Phone: 1-305-441-5555
Toll-free: 1-866-649-8846
Email: trust@amerantbank.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET
Not in Amerant's published guidance2
- An online way to name a beneficiary
- A beneficiary designation form, for deposit accounts
Sources4
- 1.Deposit Agreement, Effective June 15th, 2026
- 2.IRA agreement
- 3.Locations
- 4.Trust services
Sources
Data sourced from Amerant primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Amerant instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Amerant primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Amerant estate support
Wealth Management - Trust Services
Phone
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