Estate planning at Avantax
How to protect 13 Avantax accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file claims through Avantax's Estate Services (via your Avantax advisor)
Cetera Wealth Services Client Support
Phone888-406-5444
Mailing Address
3200 Olympus Blvd., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75019
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Services (via your Avantax advisor)
Phone888-406-5444
Mailing Address
3200 Olympus Blvd., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75019
Death Claims (via your Avantax advisor or Cetera Wealth Services)
Phone888-406-5444
Mailing Address
3200 Olympus Blvd., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75019
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
How your Avantax investment accounts transfer at death depends on how each one is titled and whether a beneficiary is on file. Of those, 12 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. Getting these details right keeps assets out of probate and ensures they reach the intended recipients.
Avantax lets account holders update beneficiary designations in branch and by mail, typically taking 5-10 business days for processing after form received in good order. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle brokerage accounts into a trust.
Avantax has documented procedures for both preparing accounts during your lifetime and handling claims when an account holder passes away.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 13 account types at Avantax.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact Avantax's Estate Services (via your Avantax advisor) to file a claim. 5-step process, 9 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →For questions about any of these procedures, contact Avantax's Estate Services (via your Avantax advisor) at 888-406-5444.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Non-retirement accounts (brokerage and advisory accounts) can be retitled to a revocable living trust. Work with your Avantax advisor to complete the Change of Ownership Form and provide trust documentation, including the trust agreement (or key pages), a Certificate of Trust, government-issued ID for all trustees, and IRS Form W-9 for the trust. IRAs and other qualified accounts cannot be retitled to a trust.
Avantax (formerly HD Vest) was acquired by Cetera Financial Group in 2023 and now operates as Avantax by Cetera within Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Avantax retains its distinct focus on tax-professional-based wealth management. Your Avantax advisor remains your primary point of contact, while Cetera provides the broker-dealer infrastructure, compliance, and clearing firm relationships.
Avantax accounts are custodied at Pershing, a BNY company, or National Financial Services (NFS), a Fidelity Investments company. These clearing firms hold your assets, execute trades, and generate account statements. Your Avantax advisor manages the relationship and provides investment guidance, while the clearing firm safeguards the assets.
Avantax specializes in tax-intelligent wealth management, with a network of financial advisors who are often also licensed tax professionals (CPAs, enrolled agents, and tax preparers). This dual expertise allows Avantax advisors to coordinate investment and tax strategies together. Founded in 1983 by a CPA, Avantax pioneered the model of tax professionals providing investment services.
Yes. Avantax clients can log in to the AdviceWorks client portal at clientportal.avantax.com for 24/7 access to account information, secure document storage, and real-time collaboration with their advisor. The portal and mobile app provide account balances, holdings, and transaction history. However, beneficiary changes and account retitling must be submitted in writing through your advisor and cannot be completed through the portal.
Spousal consent may be required for beneficiary designations in community property states (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin). If you live in one of these states, your spouse may need to sign the beneficiary designation form to consent to a non-spouse beneficiary. Your Avantax advisor can confirm whether spousal consent applies to your specific situation.
Yes. A trust can be named as beneficiary on an Avantax IRA (Traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP, or SIMPLE). However, naming a trust as IRA beneficiary may limit stretch provisions for heirs under the SECURE Act. IRAs cannot be retitled to a trust. Contact your Avantax advisor to complete an IRA Beneficiary Designation Form and consult a tax advisor regarding the implications of naming a trust as IRA beneficiary.
Sources
Data sourced from Avantax primary sources (13 pages reviewed). How we research.
Cetera Wealth Services Client Support
Phone888-406-5444
Mailing Address
3200 Olympus Blvd., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75019
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Services (via your Avantax advisor)
Phone888-406-5444
Mailing Address
3200 Olympus Blvd., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75019
Death Claims (via your Avantax advisor or Cetera Wealth Services)
Phone888-406-5444
Mailing Address
3200 Olympus Blvd., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75019
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Avantax accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
