What to do when a Oppenheimer account holder dies
Contact Oppenheimer's Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware — 6-step process, 8 required documents, and account restricted within 1-2 business days of notification. tod account distributions typically processed within 2-4 weeks after complete documentation. probate-dependent accounts may take several months.
Phone1-800-221-5588
Toll-Free1-800-221-5588
Email[email protected]
Mailing Address
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
Client Help Line (account access)
New York Headquarters
Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware
Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware
Phone(302) 529-2201
Email[email protected]
Mailing Address
Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware, 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Building, Suite 105, Wilmington, DE 19810
Client Help Line
New York Headquarters
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Settlement
Phone1-800-221-5588
Mailing Address
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
After a Oppenheimer 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 Oppenheimer's Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware at 1-800-221-5588 with the proper legal authority documents.
Oppenheimer offers an online claims portal that makes the initial filing process more straightforward. Survivors can also initiate claims by phone or by mailing documentation directly.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Oppenheimer requires:
Filing a claim
1
Notify your Oppenheimer Financial Professional or call the main helpdesk at 800-221-5588 as soon as possible with the deceased's name and account information
2
Oppenheimer will restrict the account and begin the estate settlement process
3
Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
4
Complete the appropriate forms based on account type:
- For TOD-registered brokerage accounts: the named beneficiary provides government-issued ID and completes the distribution form
- For IRA accounts: beneficiaries complete the Inherited IRA application and select a distribution option per the IRA Beneficiary Distribution Options guide
- If no beneficiary is designated, provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
- For small estates, a Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted depending on state law
5
Submit all required documents through your Financial Professional or to the Oppenheimer office servicing the account
6
Oppenheimer processes the distribution or transfer once all documentation is verified
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued ID for the claimant
- TOD Distribution Form (for accounts with Transfer on Death registration)
- Inherited IRA Application (for IRA beneficiaries)
- IRA Beneficiary Distribution Options election form
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate required)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under applicable state law)
- Trust document (if trust is the designated beneficiary)
Oppenheimer publishes a "Death of a Family Member Checklist" available through Financial Professionals to guide families through the estate settlement process. Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware can serve as trustee or co-trustee for estate settlement. Starting in 2025, certain non-spouse IRA beneficiaries are required to take annual RMDs during the 10-year distribution period under the SECURE Act.
Processing timelines at Oppenheimer: Account restricted within 1-2 business days of notification. TOD account distributions typically processed within 2-4 weeks after complete documentation. Probate-dependent accounts may take several months. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Documentation required by Oppenheimer includes Certified death certificate, Government-issued ID for the claimant, and TOD Distribution Form (for accounts with Transfer on Death registration), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Oppenheimer's Death Claims / Estate Settlement can be reached by phone at 1-800-221-5588 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Oppenheimer investment accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware to confirm what applies.
Phone1-800-221-5588
Toll-Free1-800-221-5588
Email[email protected]
Mailing Address
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
Client Help Line (account access)
New York Headquarters
Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware
Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware
Phone(302) 529-2201
Email[email protected]
Mailing Address
Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware, 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Building, Suite 105, Wilmington, DE 19810
Client Help Line
New York Headquarters
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Settlement
Phone1-800-221-5588
Mailing Address
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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