Preparing your SouthState Bank 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.

SouthState Bank offers 12 accounts, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.

SouthState CheckingChoice CheckingGold CheckingCommunity Hero CheckingDirect CheckingPersonal SavingsMoney Market AccountCertificate of Deposit (CD)Health Savings Account (HSA)

1Visit a SouthState Bank branch with government-issued photo ID

2Request to update your signature card with a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation

3Provide beneficiary information: legal name, date of birth, SSN or address

4Sign the updated signature card

5Confirm changes with the branch representative before leaving

Required Documents

Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)

Special Requirements

POD designation is established on the signature card -- not a separate form
Changes must be evidenced by a written change to the signature card (in-branch only)
Beneficiary changes cannot be made online, by phone, or by mail
A beneficiary can be added during the initial account opening process or by visiting a branch after account opening
Upon death of last owner, funds pass equally to surviving beneficiaries after deducting fees owed
Bank has no obligation to notify beneficiaries of the existence of a POD account
Must satisfy all requirements under applicable law to establish a valid POD account