How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Creative Planning
Covers 4 investment, 5 retirement, and 1 insurance accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Creative Planning Client Services
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
Estate Planning & Trust Services
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
Death Claims (via Wealth Manager)
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
There are two ways to keep your Creative Planning 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.
Across 10 product types, Creative Planning investment accounts vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through Transfer on Death (TOD) designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
- Full legal name, date of birth, SSN, relationship, and allocation percentages
- For trusts as beneficiary: provide trust name, date established, and tax ID number
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Advisor-mediated process -- consumers do not open accounts directly with Creative Planning
- Forms vary by custodian (Charles Schwab or Fidelity)
- Named beneficiaries override your will
- Spousal consent may be required for retirement account beneficiary changes
- Creative Planning in-house attorneys and CPAs can coordinate beneficiary designations with overall estate plan
Sources
Data sourced from Creative Planning primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Creative Planning instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Creative Planning primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Creative Planning Client Services
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
Estate Planning & Trust Services
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
Death Claims (via Wealth Manager)
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
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