What to do when an Avantax account holder dies
Report the death to Avantax at 1-888-406-5444
Avantax is now part of CeteraAcquired, effective November 2023
Cetera Holdings completed its acquisition of Avantax on November 27, 2023, and states it retained Avantax's legal entities, brand, core technology, product offerings and existing clearing and custody relationships. The Avantax brand remains in active use as "a distinct community within Cetera Wealth Services, LLC," so this page stays the right starting point for an Avantax statement. The broker-dealer behind it has changed: Avantax Investment Services, Inc. (CRD #13686) shows as Terminated on FINRA BrokerCheck with a firm status date of December 9, 2025, and avantax.com now states that registered representatives offer securities through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. A survivor holding older Avantax statements should expect the current paperwork, support line, and disclosures to name Cetera Wealth Services. Advisory accounts held through Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. face a further change: Cetera launched Cetera Planning Partners on April 28, 2026 by rebranding The Retirement Planning Group, and disclosed that on or about September 30, 2026 Avantax Planning Partners is expected to assign its advisor contracts to that firm, subject to required approvals.
What happens to Avantax investment accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Avantax (1-888-406-5444) to claim the funds.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Avantax:
Filing a claim
- The financial professional obtains the custodian's claim paperwork and submits it for the survivor
- The financial professional can see the whole household, including annuities and insurance placed with third-party carriers and any 529 held with a plan program
Required Documents
- Death certificateA copy. Pershing, one of the two custodians, asks for "the deceased account holder's death certificate" in its Terms and Conditions. Ask the financial professional what the custodian requires.
- The custodian's death-claim or transfer paperworkObtained through the Avantax financial professional.
- Government-issued photo ID, for each claimant or beneficiary
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, where the estate is the beneficiary or no valid designation exists
- Trust agreement or Certificate of Trust, where a trust is the named beneficiary
- New account application, for the inherited, estate, or trust account receiving the assets
- IRS Form W-9, for each receiving account
- Medallion Signature Guarantee, where the custodian's transfer form requires oneA bank or brokerage in a Medallion program provides it. A notary cannot substitute.
- State estate or inheritance tax waiver, where the deceased person's state requires one before release
- Small estate affidavit, where the estate qualifies as a small estate and no probate is opened
- The issuing carrier's own claim form, for any annuity or life insurance policy
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
What happens to each kind of account5
- Investment account
Securities normally transfer in kind into a new account titled to the beneficiary, estate, or trust. A beneficiary can instead elect to liquidate to cash first.1
- IRA
A retirement account is re-registered as an inherited (beneficiary) IRA rather than paid out.1
- Annuity
Annuities are issued by third-party carriers, so the claim is filed with the issuing carrier under the contract, and the claim form, requirements and timeline come from the carrier, not from Avantax or the custodian. The financial professional can give the carrier name and contract number.1
- Life insurance policy
Life insurance policies are issued by third-party carriers, so the claim is filed with the issuing carrier under the contract, and the claim form, requirements and timeline come from the carrier, not from Avantax or the custodian. The financial professional can give the carrier name and contract number.1
- 529 plan
What controls is the successor account owner named with the 529 program. Contact the program as well as the financial professional.1
Accounts handled elsewhere2
What Avantax's agreement and guidance say1
Not in Avantax's published guidance4
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A claim form
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
- How long a claim takes
Avantax can be reached by phone at 1-888-406-5444 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Avantax primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Avantax death claims support
Phone
Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. (advisory accounts)
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Avantax accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
