What to do when a Savant Wealth account holder dies
Contact Savant Wealth's Savant Private Trust / Wealth Advisory and Estate Planning — 4-step process, 6 required documents, and tod and beneficiary claims typically process within 1-4 weeks through the custodian. probate estates may take several months depending on court timelines and estate complexity.
Savant Wealth Management
Savant Wealth Management, 190 Buckley Drive, Rockford, IL 61107
Death Claims (via Wealth Advisory Team)
Savant Wealth Management, 190 Buckley Drive, Rockford, IL 61107
What happens to Savant Wealth investment accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Savant Wealth's Death Claims (via Wealth Advisory Team) (1-815-227-0300) to claim the funds.
To start, call Savant Wealth at 1-815-227-0300. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate ready before you call.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Savant Wealth works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Contact the decedent's Savant wealth advisor directly
- If the advisor is unknown, call Savant at 866-489-0500
- Provide the decedent's name, date of death, and account information if available
- Obtain certified death certificates (multiple copies recommended)
- Locate the will, trust documents, and any beneficiary designation records
- Obtain Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration if probate is required
- Savant advisor coordinates the claim process with the account custodian
- For TOD/beneficiary accounts: beneficiary provides death certificate and government-issued ID to claim assets directly (bypasses probate)
- For trust-owned accounts: successor trustee provides death certificate, trust documents, and ID
- For probate accounts: executor/administrator provides Letters Testamentary and court documents
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate (multiple copies)
- Government-issued photo ID for executor, trustee, or beneficiary
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate is required)
- Copy of the will or trust document (if applicable)
- Trust tax identification number (if assets transfer to a trust)
- Custodian-specific claim forms (provided by Savant advisor)
What to know at this institution
Savant advisors coordinate the entire death claim process with the account custodian on behalf of the family. For clients with comprehensive financial plans, Savant can assist surviving family members with updating their own financial plans and beneficiary designations. The firm's tax advisory team can also assist with estate tax filings and final income tax returns.
Processing timelines at Savant Wealth: TOD and beneficiary claims typically process within 1-4 weeks through the custodian. Probate estates may take several months depending on court timelines and estate complexity. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Savant Wealth requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate (multiple copies), Government-issued photo ID for executor, trustee, or beneficiary, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if probate is required), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Your Savant advisor coordinates the entire death claim process with the account custodian. Beneficiaries should contact the decedent's advisor (or call 866-489-0500) and provide a certified death certificate. TOD/beneficiary-designated accounts pass directly to named beneficiaries and bypass probate, typically processing within 1-4 weeks. Trust-owned accounts pass to the successor trustee per the trust terms. Accounts without a beneficiary or trust title go through probate and require Letters Testamentary. Savant's tax team can also assist with final income tax returns and any estate tax filings.
Savant Wealth's Death Claims (via Wealth Advisory Team) can be reached by phone at 1-866-489-0500 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Savant Wealth investment accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Death Claims (via Wealth Advisory Team) can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Sources
Data sourced from Savant Wealth primary sources (11 pages reviewed). How we research.
Savant Wealth Management
Savant Wealth Management, 190 Buckley Drive, Rockford, IL 61107
Death Claims (via Wealth Advisory Team)
Savant Wealth Management, 190 Buckley Drive, Rockford, IL 61107
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