How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Chevy Chase Trust
Covers 6 investment, and 3 retirement accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Chevy Chase Trust Client Services
Phone(240) 497-5000
Mailing Address
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500W, Bethesda, MD 20814
McLean, VA office
Toll-free
WebsiteLearn more→
Planning & Fiduciary Services
Phone(240) 497-5000
Mailing Address
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500W, Bethesda, MD 20814
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Settlement (via Advisor)
Phone(240) 497-5000
Mailing Address
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500W, Bethesda, MD 20814
Verified Jul 2026
There are two ways to keep your Chevy Chase Trust investment 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.
Chevy Chase Trust has 9 investment accounts with different estate transfer rules. Here is how beneficiary designations, trust ownership, and probate apply to each one.
Individual Advisory AccountJoint Advisory AccountTrust Advisory AccountCorporate Trustee ServicesEquity Portfolio ManagementFixed Income Portfolio Management
1
Schedule a meeting with your Chevy Chase Trust advisor at the Bethesda or McLean office
2
Bring government-issued photo ID to the meeting
3
Advisor provides the appropriate beneficiary designation or TOD form
4
Complete the form with beneficiary details:
- Full legal name, date of birth, SSN, relationship, and allocation percentages
- For trusts as beneficiary: provide trust name, date established, and tax ID number
5
Sign the form with your advisor present
6
Advisor submits completed forms for processing
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Advisor-mediated process -- clients work directly with their Chevy Chase Trust advisor or Senior Trust Officer
- Per the firm FAQ, once a change request is verified with your Senior Trust Officer it is processed within two business days
- Named beneficiaries override your will
- Spousal consent may be required for retirement account beneficiary changes
- Estate planning team can coordinate beneficiary designations with overall estate plan
Sources
Data sourced from Chevy Chase Trust primary sources (12 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Chevy Chase Trust instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Chevy Chase Trust primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Chevy Chase Trust Client Services
Phone(240) 497-5000
Mailing Address
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500W, Bethesda, MD 20814
McLean, VA office
Toll-free
WebsiteLearn more→
Planning & Fiduciary Services
Phone(240) 497-5000
Mailing Address
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500W, Bethesda, MD 20814
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Settlement (via Advisor)
Phone(240) 497-5000
Mailing Address
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500W, Bethesda, MD 20814
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Chevy Chase Trust accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
