Estate planning and settlement at Columbia Bank
Name beneficiaries in branch, fund a trust in branch, and report a death at 1-866-486-7782
Columbia Bank has 11 accounts, each with different rules for what happens when the account holder dies. Of those, 9 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. The right combination of beneficiary designations and trust ownership can keep the entire portfolio out of probate.
Beneficiary designations at Columbia Bank can be managed in branch 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.
Columbia Bank has documented procedures for both preparing accounts during your lifetime and handling claims when an account holder passes away.
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 11 account types at Columbia Bank.
Preparing your estate →Death claim process
Report the death to Columbia Bank Customer Service at 1-866-486-7782. The page lists the steps and the documents to send.
When someone dies →Reach Columbia Bank's Columbia Trust Company at 1-253-305-1552 for help with any of these procedures. Email inquiries can be sent to info@columbiatrustcompany.com.
Columbia Bank is not available nationwide. Estate planning procedures may vary by state, so confirm that your location is served before making account changes.
Sources
Data sourced from Columbia Bank primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Columbia Bank customer support
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Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Columbia Bank 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.
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