How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Washington Trust
Covers 11 deposit, 2 retirement, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Customer Solutions Center
Phone800-475-2265
Emailinfo@washtrust.com
Mailing Address
23 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Washington Trust Wealth Management
Phone800-582-1076
Mailing Address
23 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Solutions Center
Phone800-475-2265
Toll-Free800-475-2265
Mailing Address
Washington Trust Company, 23 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Verified Jul 2026
There are two ways to keep your Washington Trust accounts out of probate: adding beneficiary designations and retitling eligible accounts into a revocable living trust. Which approach works best depends on the account type and your overall estate plan.
Across 15 product types, Washington Trust accounts vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through Payable on Death (POD) designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
Simply Free CheckingFreedom CheckingFreedom Plus Relationship CheckingFreedom Ultra CheckingStudent CheckingFreedom Statement SavingsHigh-Rate Savings AccountCustodial Freedom Statement SavingsWashington Trust Money Market AccountWashington Trust Certificate of DepositCDARS (Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service)
1
Visit a Washington Trust branch
- Bring government-issued photo ID
- Request a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation form
2
Provide beneficiary information
- Provide beneficiary details: full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship
- Specify primary and contingent beneficiaries with percentage allocations
- For trusts as beneficiary: provide trust name, date established, and EIN
3
Complete and submit the designation
- Complete and sign the beneficiary designation form
- Banker processes the designation on your account
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Account owner can change beneficiaries, change account types, withdraw funds, or close the account at any time
- Most recent beneficiary designation supersedes and replaces any prior designation
- For joint accounts: owners hold as joint tenants with right of survivorship
- Beneficiary designations supersede a will in most cases
- POD accounts pass outside the probate process
Sources
Data sourced from Washington Trust primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Washington Trust instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Washington Trust primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Customer Solutions Center
Phone800-475-2265
Emailinfo@washtrust.com
Mailing Address
23 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Washington Trust Wealth Management
Phone800-582-1076
Mailing Address
23 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Solutions Center
Phone800-475-2265
Toll-Free800-475-2265
Mailing Address
Washington Trust Company, 23 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Washington Trust accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
