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
C
Creative Planning Client Services
Phone1-866-909-5148
Mailing Address
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
Main line
Retirement plan services
New client inquiries
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Planning & Trust Services
Phone1-866-909-5148
Mailing Address
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims (via Wealth Manager)
Phone1-866-909-5148
Mailing Address
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
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.
Individual Advisory AccountJoint Advisory AccountTrust Advisory AccountCorporate Trustee Services
1
Schedule a meeting with your Creative Planning wealth manager at a local office (find offices at https://creativeplanning.com/locations/)
2
Bring government-issued photo ID to the meeting
3
Wealth manager provides the appropriate beneficiary designation or TOD form from the custodian
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 wealth manager present
6
Wealth manager submits completed forms to the custodian for processing
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.
C
Creative Planning Client Services
Phone1-866-909-5148
Mailing Address
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
Main line
Retirement plan services
New client inquiries
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Planning & Trust Services
Phone1-866-909-5148
Mailing Address
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims (via Wealth Manager)
Phone1-866-909-5148
Mailing Address
5454 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66211
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Creative Planning accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
