What to do when a Steward Partners account holder dies
Contact Steward Partners's Estate and Trust Services (via your Steward Partners Financial Advisor) — 4-step process, 7 required documents, and tod and joint account transfers may process in 1-4 weeks. probate estates can take several months depending on complexity and court timelines.
Steward Partners Client Services
400 Atlantic Street, 10th Floor, Stamford, CT 06901
Estate and Trust Services (via your Steward Partners Financial Advisor)
Death Claims (via your Steward Partners Financial Advisor)
400 Atlantic Street, 10th Floor, Stamford, CT 06901
What happens to Steward Partners 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 Steward Partners's Death Claims (via your Steward Partners Financial Advisor) (1-866-694-7769) to claim the funds.
Claims can be filed by phone (1-866-694-7769) or by emailing documentation to stewardpartners@stewardpartners.com. Before reaching out, gather the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Steward Partners:
Filing a claim
- Contact the decedent's Steward Partners financial advisor or call the firm's main line at (866) 694-7769 (headquarters: 400 Atlantic Street, 10th Floor, Stamford, CT 06901)
- Provide the decedent's name, account number (if known), and date of death
- Obtain certified death certificates (at least 10 copies recommended)
- Locate the will, trust document, and any beneficiary designation records
- Obtain Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court (if applicable)
- Advisor coordinates the claims process with Raymond James (custodian)
- For TOD accounts: beneficiary presents death certificate and government-issued ID to receive assets without probate
- For joint accounts: surviving owner provides death certificate to remove the decedent from the account
- For probate accounts: executor submits Letters Testamentary, death certificate, and estate documentation
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate (multiple copies)
- Government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or trustee)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate)
- Copy of the will or trust document (if applicable)
- Trust tax identification number (if assets transfer to a trust)
- Inheritance tax waiver (required by certain states)
- Raymond James estate/claim forms (provided by advisor)
What to know at this institution
Contact the decedent's Steward Partners advisor first. All asset transfers are processed through Raymond James as custodian. For TOD accounts, assets transfer directly to named beneficiaries without probate. Steward Partners advisors can coordinate with the estate's attorney and tax professional to facilitate an orderly transfer of assets.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Steward Partners
Steward Partners asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist Steward Partners requires.
Build your letter of instructionExpected timelines at Steward Partners: TOD and joint account transfers may process in 1-4 weeks. Probate estates can take several months depending on complexity and court timelines. 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 Steward Partners includes Certified death certificate (multiple copies), Government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or trustee), and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Contact your Steward Partners financial advisor. Your advisor will provide the appropriate beneficiary designation form (Transfer on Death Agreement for brokerage accounts or IRA Beneficiary Designation form for retirement accounts). Complete the form with each beneficiary's full legal name, relationship, date of birth, Social Security number, and percentage allocation. The form is submitted to Raymond James, the custodian, for processing.
Steward Partners is an independent advisory firm that uses Raymond James' RIA and Custody Services (RCS) platform. Raymond James serves as the custodian for all client assets and securities. This means account statements come from Raymond James, and asset transfers (including beneficiary claims and trust retitling) are processed through Raymond James' systems. Your Steward Partners advisor coordinates all custodial activities on your behalf.
Steward Partners's Death Claims (via your Steward Partners Financial Advisor) can be reached by phone at 1-866-694-7769 and email at stewardpartners@stewardpartners.com for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Steward Partners investment accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Death Claims (via your Steward Partners Financial Advisor) can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Sources
- prnewswire.com
- stewardpartners.com
- adviserinfo.sec.gov
- brokercheck.finra.org
- reports.adviserinfo.sec.gov
Data sourced from Steward Partners primary sources (11 pages reviewed). How we research.
Steward Partners Client Services
400 Atlantic Street, 10th Floor, Stamford, CT 06901
Estate and Trust Services (via your Steward Partners Financial Advisor)
Death Claims (via your Steward Partners Financial Advisor)
400 Atlantic Street, 10th Floor, Stamford, CT 06901
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