What to do when a Merrill account holder dies
Contact Merrill's Merrill Life Services — 6-step process, 8 required documents, and varies by account type and documentation completeness. probate generally takes at least six months to one year for complex estates. asset transfer typically completes shortly after all documentation is received in good order.
Merrill Edge Client Services
Phone1-888-637-3343
Toll-Free1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
Forms Questions (24/7)
Spanish Language Support
Merrill Lynch Client Services (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ET)
Benefits & Retirement Accounts (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ET)
401(k) Customer Service (Mon-Fri 8am-7pm ET)
Merrill Life Services
Phone1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
Forms Questions (24/7)
WebsiteLearn more→
Merrill Life Services - Ownership Transition
Phone1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
After a Merrill 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 Merrill's Merrill Life Services at 1-855-450-9015 with the proper legal authority documents.
Merrill provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Merrill requires:
Filing a claim
1
Call Merrill Life Services at 855-450-9015 (say "Ownership Transition") Monday-Friday 8am-8pm ET, or visit a Bank of America branch
2
Provide initial information:
- Deceased's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and account information
- Death certificate (legible photocopy accepted initially; certified copy may be required)
- Affidavit of Domicile (always required; date of death on Affidavit must match Death Certificate)
3
A Life Services Transition Specialist will be assigned to your case
4
Provide additional documents based on account type:
- Individual accounts: probate documents (if applicable), distribution documents, tax waiver (if applicable)
- Joint accounts (JTWROS/TIC): Letter of Authorization to swap SSN and remove deceased
- IRAs: probate docs (if applicable), tax waiver (if applicable), Trustee Certification (if trust beneficiary)
- Trust accounts: Trustee Certification, transfer or distribution authorization (if applicable)
- Estate accounts: CMA Estate Application Booklet, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
5
Connect with a Financial Solutions Advisor (optional):
- A Financial Solutions Advisor can discuss inheritance options and help you open new accounts to receive inherited assets
- Cost basis step-up is available upon request after account transfer
6
Complete the asset transfer:
- Open new Merrill accounts if needed to receive inherited assets
- Complete prefilled authorization documents or provide verbal authorization for the transfer
Required Documents
- Death certificate (legible photocopy accepted initially; certified copy may be required)
- Affidavit of Domicile (always required; date of death must match death certificate)
- Government-issued ID for claimant
- Individual accounts: probate documents (if applicable), distribution documents, tax waiver
- Joint accounts (JTWROS/TIC): Letter of Authorization to swap SSN or remove deceased
- IRAs: probate docs (if applicable), tax waiver (if applicable), Trustee Certification (if trust beneficiary)
- Trust accounts: Trustee Certification, Letter of Authorization (if applicable)
- Estate accounts: CMA Estate Application Booklet, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
When calling 855-450-9015, say "Ownership Transition" to be routed to the correct team. Forms questions available 24/7 at 877-653-4732. Spousal rollovers available for IRAs under specific legal marriage requirements. Detailed guides for completing required documentation are available at merrilledge.com/life-services for each account type. Documents may be submitted by fax to 917-778-0797, by mail to Merrill Document Processing PO Box 31024 Tampa FL 33631-3024, or by secure email link obtained by calling the team.
Expected timelines at Merrill: Varies by account type and documentation completeness. Probate generally takes at least six months to one year for complex estates. Asset transfer typically completes shortly after all documentation is received in good order. 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 Merrill includes Death certificate (legible photocopy accepted initially; certified copy may be required), Affidavit of Domicile (always required; date of death must match death certificate), and Government-issued ID for claimant, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
TOD service is not available to clients who reside in Louisiana or Puerto Rico due to local laws. Additionally, no contingent or successor beneficiaries are allowed on TOD agreements at Merrill.
Merrill Life Services is a dedicated team that helps beneficiaries and executors navigate the financial steps after losing a loved one. The six-step process includes: notifying Merrill, submitting initial documents, working with a Transition Specialist, connecting with a Financial Solutions Advisor, opening new accounts if needed, and completing asset transfers. Call 855-450-9015 (say "Ownership Transition") Monday-Friday 8am-8pm ET. Fax documents to 917-778-0797 or mail to Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024.
Yes. A living trust (revocable or irrevocable) can be named as a primary or contingent beneficiary on a Merrill IRA using the Beneficiary Designation form. Testamentary trusts (trusts created through a will, which only take effect after probate) cannot be named as IRA beneficiaries. IRAs themselves cannot be retitled or transferred to a trust; the trust can only receive IRA assets as a beneficiary after the account holder's death. A Trustee Certification Form is required when a trust is the named beneficiary and makes a claim.
Merrill's Merrill Life Services - Ownership Transition can be reached by phone at 1-855-450-9015, email at Secure email link available by calling 855-450-9015, and fax at (917) 778-0797 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Merrill investment accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Merrill Life Services to confirm what applies.
Merrill Edge Client Services
Phone1-888-637-3343
Toll-Free1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
Forms Questions (24/7)
Spanish Language Support
Merrill Lynch Client Services (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ET)
Benefits & Retirement Accounts (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ET)
401(k) Customer Service (Mon-Fri 8am-7pm ET)
Merrill Life Services
Phone1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
Forms Questions (24/7)
WebsiteLearn more→
Merrill Life Services - Ownership Transition
Phone1-855-450-9015
Fax(917) 778-0797
Mailing Address
Merrill Document Processing, PO Box 31024, Tampa, FL 33631-3024
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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