Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Edelman Financial accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
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Contact Edelman Financial's Estate Planning Services — 6-step process, 6 required documents, and varies by custodian; typically 2-4 weeks after all documents received
Client Services
Death Claims (coordinated through custodian: Schwab, Fidelity, or Axos)
Edelman Financial Engines, 1050 Enterprise Way, Suite 300, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
After a Edelman Financial account holder dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact Edelman Financial's Estate Planning Services at 1-800-601-5957 with the proper legal authority documents.
Death claims at Edelman Financial can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Edelman Financial:
Because EFE does not custody assets, death claims are processed through the custodian partner (Schwab, Fidelity, or Axos) or the workplace plan recordkeeper. EFE financial planners can help coordinate the process and connect beneficiaries with estate attorneys and tax preparers. Notify the financial planner, tax preparer, and estate attorney of the death, and ensure each is aware of the others.
Expected timelines at Edelman Financial: Varies by custodian; typically 2-4 weeks after all documents received. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Edelman Financial includes Certified death certificate (multiple copies recommended), Government-issued ID for the claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Administration (if estate goes through probate), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Because EFE does not custody assets, the death claim is processed by the custodian (Schwab, Fidelity, or Axos) or by the employer plan recordkeeper for workplace accounts. Beneficiaries should notify the EFE financial planner and the custodian, then submit a certified death certificate, government-issued ID, and any required beneficiary claim forms or court documents (Letters Testamentary if probate is required). The EFE planner can coordinate with the estate attorney and tax preparer.
Edelman Financial's Death Claims (coordinated through custodian: Schwab, Fidelity, or Axos) can be reached by phone at 1-800-601-5957 and email at advisor@EdelmanFinancialEngines.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Edelman Financial investment accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Estate Planning Services to confirm what applies.
Client Services
Death Claims (coordinated through custodian: Schwab, Fidelity, or Axos)
Edelman Financial Engines, 1050 Enterprise Way, Suite 300, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Learn how to protect your Edelman Financial accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Learn how to protect your Edelman Financial accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
