Estate planning at Northern Trust
How to protect 13 Northern Trust accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file death claims
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more →
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more →
Estate Settlement Services
Phone1-888-635-5350
Toll-Free1-888-635-5350
Fax312-557-0411
Mailing Address
The Northern Trust Company, 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
Northern Trust offers 13 consumer accounts that interact with estate planning in distinct ways. Of those, 11 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. Understanding the transfer methods available for each account type helps families keep assets out of probate and ensure they pass to the right people.
Beneficiary designations at Northern Trust can be managed in branch and by mail, typically taking 1-2 weeks for processing. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
Northern Trust provides specific procedures for both proactive estate planning and filing claims after a death.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 13 account types at Northern Trust.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
10-step process, 8 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Northern Trust operates in select states, so estate planning procedures may vary by location. Confirm availability in your state before initiating trust funding or account changes.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts at Northern Trust can be retitled to a revocable living trust. Contact your Northern Trust advisor or call 1-888-635-5350 to begin the process. You will need to provide your trust agreement (or relevant pages) and government-issued ID for all trustees. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing.
No. IRAs cannot be titled to a trust. However, you can name your trust as the beneficiary of your IRA using the IRA Beneficiary Designation form. Consult a tax advisor before doing this, as there are significant tax implications for trust beneficiaries under the SECURE Act.
Yes. Northern Trust can serve as sole trustee, co-trustee, or successor trustee. They offer trust administration across 40+ specialty areas, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, with tax-efficient trust options domiciled in Delaware and Nevada.
Yes. Northern Trust provides comprehensive estate settlement including notification of heirs, regular communication with beneficiaries, asset distribution, tax return preparation, and ongoing reporting. Their team spans 40+ specialty areas including real estate, farmland, and private business interests.
Yes. Named TOD and POD beneficiaries on Northern Trust accounts take precedence over anything stated in your will. This is why it is important to keep beneficiary designations updated whenever your circumstances change, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more →
Brokerage Services / Client Services
Phone1-312-630-0779
Toll-Free1-866-876-9944
Mailing Address
Northern Trust, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, IL 60675-5986
Wealth Management
Online Account Assistance
Northern Funds Center
Loss Mitigation / Payment Difficulty
WebsiteLearn more →
Estate Settlement Services
Phone1-888-635-5350
Toll-Free1-888-635-5350
Fax312-557-0411
Mailing Address
The Northern Trust Company, 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
Estate planning resources for Northern Trust customers
Tools and documents to help protect your Northern Trust accounts.
Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate, family situation, and privacy preferences to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone.
Take the Quiz
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
See how your state handles beneficiary designations after divorce, inherited IRA creditor protection, and spousal consent requirements for retirement accounts.
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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.
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