Preparing your Independent Financial accounts for estate transfer involves two primary strategies: designating beneficiaries on individual accounts and, where supported, retitling accounts into a revocable living trust. Both approaches bypass probate, but they work differently depending on the account type.

With 12 product types, Independent Financial offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.

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1Visit any Independent Financial branch in Texas or Colorado

2Bring valid government-issued photo ID

3Request to add or update POD beneficiary designations on your deposit accounts

4Provide full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number for each beneficiary

5Review and sign the updated beneficiary designation form

Required Documents

Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)

Special Requirements

Beneficiary changes on deposit accounts typically require an in-branch visit or signed form
Trust beneficiary designations require the trust name, date of trust, and tax identification number
IRA beneficiary changes may require spousal consent in community property states (Texas is a community property state)