What to do when a Beacon Pointe account holder dies
Contact Beacon Pointe's Private Wealth Management - Estate Planning — 7-step process, 6 required documents, and timeline varies by account type and custodian. tod and beneficiary transfers typically complete within 2-4 weeks after all documentation is received. probate-dependent transfers may take several months.
Beacon Pointe Advisors - Headquarters
Phone(949) 718-1600
Fax(949) 209-2546
Mailing Address
24 Corporate Plaza Drive, Suite 150, Newport Beach, CA 92660
WebsiteLearn more→
Client Services (via your Beacon Pointe Advisor)
Phone(949) 718-1600
Mailing Address
24 Corporate Plaza Drive, Suite 150, Newport Beach, CA 92660
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
What happens to Beacon Pointe 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 Beacon Pointe's Private Wealth Management - Estate Planning ((949) 718-1600) to claim the funds.
Death claims at Beacon Pointe can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Beacon Pointe:
Filing a claim
1
Contact your Beacon Pointe advisor or call (949) 718-1600 to report the death of an account holder
2
Beacon Pointe will coordinate with the custodian to restrict trading activity and secure the accounts
3
Provide a certified copy of the death certificate (order 10-20 copies for multiple institutions)
4
Determine the appropriate settlement path based on account registration:
- For TOD accounts: complete custodian distribution paperwork with your advisor
- For joint accounts with rights of survivorship: provide death certificate for account retitling to surviving owner
- For trust accounts: provide successor trustee documentation and death certificate
- For accounts requiring probate: provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
- For retirement accounts with named beneficiaries: complete inherited IRA or beneficiary distribution forms
5
Beacon Pointe advisors assist surviving spouses and beneficiaries with financial planning during the transition
6
Complete required distribution or transfer forms through the custodian
7
Allow processing time for asset transfers to beneficiary accounts
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued ID for the claimant or beneficiary
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate is required)
- Trust document showing successor trustee (for trust accounts)
- Inherited IRA application or beneficiary claim form (for retirement accounts)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under state law)
Beacon Pointe provides dedicated support for surviving spouses and beneficiaries through the estate settlement process. The firm helps clients understand what financial and legal tasks must be addressed immediately and those that can wait, providing space to process the loss. Insurance, tax implications, and many other factors are addressed through the firm's holistic approach. All asset transfers are processed through the third-party custodian (Schwab, Fidelity, etc.). Contact the Compliance Department at info-compliance@beaconpointe.com for regulatory questions.
Expected timelines at Beacon Pointe: Timeline varies by account type and custodian. TOD and beneficiary transfers typically complete within 2-4 weeks after all documentation is received. Probate-dependent transfers may take several months. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Beacon Pointe includes Certified copy of the death certificate, Government-issued ID for the claimant or beneficiary, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate is required), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Beacon Pointe is a registered investment advisor (RIA) and does not custody client assets. Your assets are held at independent third-party custodians, typically Charles Schwab or Fidelity. This separation of advisory and custodial functions provides an additional layer of protection. Beneficiary designations, account retitling, and death claims are all processed through the custodian, with your Beacon Pointe advisor coordinating the process on your behalf.
Beacon Pointe's Client Services (via your Beacon Pointe Advisor) can be reached by phone at (949) 718-1600 and email at info-compliance@beaconpointe.com for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Beacon Pointe investment accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Private Wealth Management - Estate Planning can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Beacon Pointe Advisors - Headquarters
Phone(949) 718-1600
Fax(949) 209-2546
Mailing Address
24 Corporate Plaza Drive, Suite 150, Newport Beach, CA 92660
WebsiteLearn more→
Client Services (via your Beacon Pointe Advisor)
Phone(949) 718-1600
Mailing Address
24 Corporate Plaza Drive, Suite 150, Newport Beach, CA 92660
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Beacon Pointe accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
