How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at LPL Financial
Covers 9 investment, and 8 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Investor Account Support
LPL Financial, Attn: Trade Direct, P.O. Box 6565, Fort Mill, SC 29716
LPL Financial Investor Account Support / The Private Trust Company N.A.
LPL Financial, Attn: Trade Direct, P.O. Box 6565, Fort Mill, SC 29716
Investor Account Support / Trade Direct
LPL Financial, Attn: Trade Direct, P.O. Box 6565, Fort Mill, SC 29716
Preparing your LPL Financial investment 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 17 product types, LPL Financial offers a range of transfer options. Some investment accounts support Transfer on Death (TOD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
- Full legal name, relationship, date of birth, SSN, and address for each beneficiary
- Percentage allocations totaling 100%
- For trusts as beneficiary: provide trust name, date established, and tax ID number
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Online beneficiary updates via Account View are not available for 403(b) accounts, 401(k) accounts, Coverdell accounts, or joint non-retirement accounts
- Online beneficiary updates are not available in community property states (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)
- TOD available if authorized under applicable state law
- Per Stirpes distribution: if a beneficiary predeceases the account holder, their share passes to their descendants
- Pro Rata (default): if a beneficiary predeceases the account holder, their share is divided among remaining beneficiaries
- If no primary or contingent beneficiaries survive, the spouse is deemed the beneficiary
- Spousal consent may be required in community property states
Sources
Data sourced from LPL Financial primary sources (21 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these LPL Financial instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against LPL Financial primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Investor Account Support
LPL Financial, Attn: Trade Direct, P.O. Box 6565, Fort Mill, SC 29716
LPL Financial Investor Account Support / The Private Trust Company N.A.
LPL Financial, Attn: Trade Direct, P.O. Box 6565, Fort Mill, SC 29716
Investor Account Support / Trade Direct
LPL Financial, Attn: Trade Direct, P.O. Box 6565, Fort Mill, SC 29716
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