How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Hightower
Covers 4 investment, and 4 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be updated by phone
Hightower Advisors Main Office
200 W Madison, 25th Floor, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606
Hightower Trust Company, NA
Hightower Trust Company, NA, 300 Madison Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10017
No Hightower claims department: report the death to the Hightower Advisor Practice that serviced the account. The claim itself is filed with the account custodian (Fidelity, Schwab, or Pershing), which releases the assets
200 W. Madison St., Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606
The key to protecting your Hightower investment accounts is making sure each one has a transfer mechanism in place—either a beneficiary designation or trust ownership. Without one, the account goes through probate, adding time, cost, and court involvement for your family.
Each of Hightower's 8 investment accounts has different rules for how it transfers at death. The sections below explain the options for each.
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- The designation is recorded by the custodian (Fidelity, Schwab, or Pershing), not by Hightower -- Hightower is the adviser, not the account holder of record
- Advisor Practices choose their own custodian, so two Hightower clients can face entirely different forms; always confirm the custodian first
- Hightower publishes no beneficiary form of its own; any form you sign will carry the custodian's name
- A trust can be named primary or contingent beneficiary on taxable and retirement accounts alike; only the taxable account can additionally be retitled INTO the trust
- Re-check designations after marriage, divorce, birth, or a beneficiary's death, and re-check them again if your Advisor Practice ever changes custodians
Sources
Data sourced from Hightower primary sources (16 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Hightower instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Hightower primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Hightower Advisors Main Office
200 W Madison, 25th Floor, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606
Hightower Trust Company, NA
Hightower Trust Company, NA, 300 Madison Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10017
No Hightower claims department: report the death to the Hightower Advisor Practice that serviced the account. The claim itself is filed with the account custodian (Fidelity, Schwab, or Pershing), which releases the assets
200 W. Madison St., Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Hightower accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreMore estate planning resources
Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.
