Estate planning and settlement at BNY
Name beneficiaries online, fund a trust in branch, and report a death at 1-800-610-8229
BNY operates under a new nameRebranded, effective June 2024
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation unified its public brand to "BNY" in June 2024, and bny.com now states in its own footer that "BNY is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation." The consumer wealth division, formerly BNY Mellon Wealth Management, operates as BNY Wealth; the RIA/broker-dealer custody arm, formerly BNY Mellon Pershing, is Pershing LLC D/B/A BNY Pershing. Same legal entity — no merger or acquisition. Legacy "BNY Mellon" naming survives where it is legally attached: the BNY Mellon Family of Funds, BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (distributor), BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc. (mutual-fund transfer agent), and BNY Mellon, N.A. (bank custody). The file id and slug retain "bny-mellon" so legacy links resolve.
How your BNY accounts transfer at death depends on how each one is titled and whether a beneficiary is on file. Of those, 11 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.
BNY lets account holders update beneficiary designations online, by phone, and by mail, typically taking 15 to 30 minutes. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
There are two sides to estate planning at BNY: setting things up while you're alive, and the process survivors follow after a death.
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to manage beneficiaries online, fund a trust in-branch, and review 11 account types at BNY.
Preparing your estate →Death claim process
Report the death to BNY at 1-800-610-8229. The page lists the steps and the documents to send.
When someone dies →For questions about any of these procedures, contact BNY Wealth Trust & Estate Services at 1-800-610-8229.
Sources
Data sourced from BNY primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.
BNY customer support
BNY Wealth / BNY Investments Client Services
Phone
BNY Wealth Online Support
BNY Wealth Client Banking
BNY Investments Express Voice-Activated System
BNY Funds Representatives
BNY Funds Sales Representatives
BNY Brokerage
BNY Brokerage automated line
BNY 403(b)(7) / Retirement Plan Inquiries
BNY Pershing account balance inquiries (investors)
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your BNY accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Forms for Planning Your Estate
Free forms for planning your estate: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.
Transfer on Death Deed
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate. Available in 34 states and the District of Columbia.
Vehicle Transfer on Death
Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate. Available in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
Tools for Planning Your Estate
Free tools for planning your estate: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
Compare the cost of probate vs a trust for your state and estate value.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare revocable living trust costs across providers including online services and attorneys.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare will costs across providers plus probate costs your heirs will pay.
How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
