What to do when a Franklin Templeton account holder dies
Contact Franklin Templeton's Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support — 7-step process, 11 required documents, and varies by account type and completeness of documentation; contact franklin templeton at (800) 632-2301 for specific timelines
Franklin Templeton Investor Services
Phone(800) 632-2301
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Retirement Account Services
WebsiteLearn more→
Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support
Phone(800) 632-2301
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Retirement Account Services
West Coast Mailing (alternative)
WebsiteLearn more→
Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support
Phone(800) 632-2301
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
When a Franklin Templeton account holder passes away, the next step depends on how the investment accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with Franklin Templeton's Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support ((800) 632-2301) to access and distribute the funds.
Death claims at Franklin Templeton can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Franklin Templeton requires:
Filing a claim
1
Identify the account type (retirement IRA, non-retirement mutual fund account with TOD, non-retirement sole account, or trust account) as the required documentation and process differ
2
Obtain a certified copy of the death certificate (required for all account types)
3
Complete the appropriate claim form based on account type:
- Non-retirement accounts with no TOD designation (sole registration): probate documents (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) or a Small Estate Affidavit may be required -- state-specific rules and dollar amount thresholds apply
- Non-retirement accounts with TOD designation: complete the TOD Beneficiary Claim Guide (TODBC-FORM) and provide claimant identification
- IRA accounts: complete the IRA Beneficiary Distribution/Transfer Form (IRABD-FORM) or Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form (RRET-FBDST)
- 529 accounts: complete the 529 Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (ESNJA-TDD)
4
For trust accounts, the successor trustee provides:
- Certified death certificate
- Successor trustee government-issued identification
- Key trust document pages (title page, current trustee designation, signature page)
5
When a trust is named as the IRA beneficiary, the trustee must provide:
- Completed Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form (RRET-FBDST) with a signature guarantee
- Certified death certificate
- Required trust document pages (title page, trustee designation, signature page)
6
Submit all documents by mail or fax:
- Mail to P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
- West Coast alternative: P.O. Box 997152, Sacramento, CA 95899-7152
- Fax to 1-855-891-8377
7
Contact Franklin Templeton at (800) 632-2301 with questions
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued ID for the claimant, beneficiary, or successor trustee
- Completed claim or distribution form appropriate to account type (TODBC-FORM, IRABD-FORM, RRET-FBDST, GOF-NCO, or ESNJA-TDD)
- For non-retirement accounts without TOD: Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or Small Estate Affidavit (state-specific)
- For non-retirement accounts without TOD: completed Non-Retirement Change of Ownership Form (GOF-NCO)
- For IRA beneficiary claims where a trust is named: copy of the first page, trustee designation page, and signature page of the trust agreement
- For IRA beneficiary claims where a trust is named: signature guarantee on the Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form
- For trust accounts: key pages from the trust document (title page, current trustee designation page, signature page)
- For trust accounts: certified copy of trust (original certification within 120 days) if current authorized trustee is not named in account registration
- For trust accounts: copy of successor trustee government-issued ID
- For 529 accounts: completed 529 Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (ESNJA-TDD)
Franklin Templeton maintains dedicated support pages for different account types under "Support for When a Shareholder Passes." For non-probated estates, a Settlement of Small Estate may satisfy requirements in lieu of formal probate documents; rules vary by state and depend on the account balance. Each beneficiary of an IRA must complete a separate claim form when multiple beneficiaries exist. For probated estates, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration must be dated within 120 days.
How long the process takes at Franklin Templeton: Varies by account type and completeness of documentation; contact Franklin Templeton at (800) 632-2301 for specific timelines. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by Franklin Templeton includes Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued ID for the claimant, beneficiary, or successor trustee, and Completed claim or distribution form appropriate to account type (TODBC-FORM, IRABD-FORM, RRET-FBDST, GOF-NCO, or ESNJA-TDD), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
For non-retirement mutual fund accounts, complete the Transfer on Death Registration Form (GOF-FTOD), available at franklintempleton.com. The TOD form cannot be used for IRA or retirement plan accounts. Submit by mail to P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030 or fax to 1-855-891-8377. Call (800) 632-2301 with questions.
The required steps depend on the account type. For all accounts, obtain a certified copy of the death certificate. For non-retirement accounts with a TOD designation, complete the TOD Beneficiary Claim Guide (TODBC-FORM). For IRA accounts, complete the IRA Beneficiary Distribution/Transfer Form (IRABD-FORM) or Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form (RRET-FBDST). For non-retirement accounts without a TOD designation, probate documents or a Small Estate Affidavit may be required. For 529 accounts, complete the 529 Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (ESNJA-TDD). Contact Franklin Templeton at (800) 632-2301 or visit the "Support for When a Shareholder Passes" section at franklintempleton.com.
The trustee of the named trust must complete the Beneficiary Transfer/Distribution Request Form (RRET-FBDST) with a signature guarantee. Required documents include a certified copy of the death certificate and key pages from the trust agreement (the first/title page, the page naming the current successor trustee(s), and the signature page(s)). Each form must be completed separately per beneficiary if multiple beneficiaries exist.
Yes. For non-probated estates, a Settlement of Small Estate document may satisfy requirements in lieu of formal probate documents. Rules vary by state and depend on the account balance. The Small Estate document must be properly signed and executed according to the small estate laws of the deceased shareholder's state of legal residence. An Inheritance Tax Waiver or Consent to Transfer from the applicable state tax authority may be required if the deceased resided in Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, or Tennessee.
The Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan is offered and administered by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) and is available to investors nationwide. It offers age-based, objective-based, and individual portfolio investment options using mutual funds, ETFs, and institutional separate accounts. Account owners can include individuals, trusts, corporations, and UGMA/UTMA custodians. Upon death of the account owner, a successor account owner may be named using the 529 Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (ESNJA-TDD).
Franklin Templeton's Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support can be reached by phone at (800) 632-2301, email at SHrequests@franklintempleton.com, and fax at 1-855-891-8377 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Franklin Templeton investment accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Franklin Templeton Investor Services
Phone(800) 632-2301
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Retirement Account Services
WebsiteLearn more→
Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support
Phone(800) 632-2301
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Retirement Account Services
West Coast Mailing (alternative)
WebsiteLearn more→
Shareholder Services -- Decedent Account Support
Phone(800) 632-2301
Fax1-855-891-8377
Mailing Address
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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