What to do when a Wells Fargo Advisors account holder dies
Contact Wells Fargo Advisors — 5-step process, 3 required documents, and processing begins once required documents are received and the representative is validated; timing varies by account type, estate complexity, and the state where the account was opened or the owner lived.
W
Wells Fargo Advisors / WellsTrade
Phone1-800-603-1584
WellsTrade Self-Directed
Wells Fargo Private Bank
WebsiteLearn more→
Wells Fargo Advisors / WellsTrade
Phone1-800-603-1584
WellsTrade Self-Directed
Wells Fargo Private Bank
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Care Center
Phone1-888-790-7980
Mailing Address
Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Estate Care Center, Attention: D1118-02D, PO Box 71208, Charlotte, NC 28201-1245
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jun 2026
After a Wells Fargo Advisors 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 Wells Fargo Advisors's Estate Care Center at 1-888-790-7980 with the proper legal authority documents.
To start, call Wells Fargo Advisors at 1-888-790-7980. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate ready before you call.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Wells Fargo Advisors:
Filing a claim
1
Notify Wells Fargo of the death through the online notification form, by contacting the deceased's financial advisor, or by calling the Estate Care Center at 1-888-790-7980
2
Provide a certified copy of the death certificate (for all account types)
3
For TOD accounts, only a death certificate is required to transfer to the named beneficiaries
4
For accounts without a TOD designation, provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration as required
5
Submit documents online, by mail to the Estate Care Center in Charlotte, NC, or through the advisor
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for non-TOD accounts requiring probate)
- WellsTrade estate processing forms as specified for the account and beneficiary type
Claims Contact
Expected timelines at Wells Fargo Advisors: Processing begins once required documents are received and the representative is validated; timing varies by account type, estate complexity, and the state where the account was opened or the owner lived. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Wells Fargo Advisors requires Certified copy of the death certificate, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for non-TOD accounts requiring probate), and WellsTrade estate processing forms as specified for the account and beneficiary type to process a death claim. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Notify Wells Fargo through the online death-notification form, the deceased's financial advisor, or the Estate Care Center at 1-888-790-7980. A certified death certificate is required for all account types. For a Transfer on Death (TOD) account, only the death certificate is needed to transfer to the named beneficiaries; accounts without a TOD designation generally require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Wells Fargo Advisors brokerage accounts use Transfer on Death (TOD) and securities-transfer procedures, while Wells Fargo Bank deposit accounts use Payable on Death (POD). Both flow through the same Estate Care Center (1-888-790-7980), but the documents and transfer mechanics differ by account type — investment accounts may require brokerage-specific estate forms.
Yes. A WellsTrade or advisory brokerage account can be retitled into the name of your revocable living trust, or you can use a Transfer on Death designation instead — the two are alternatives. A trust-owned account is governed by the trust agreement rather than a TOD beneficiary. IRAs cannot be retitled to a trust but can name a trust as beneficiary.
Wells Fargo Advisors's Estate Care Center can be reached by phone at 1-888-790-7980 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Wells Fargo Advisors investment accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Estate Care Center to confirm what applies.
W
Wells Fargo Advisors / WellsTrade
Phone1-800-603-1584
WellsTrade Self-Directed
Wells Fargo Private Bank
WebsiteLearn more→
Wells Fargo Advisors / WellsTrade
Phone1-800-603-1584
WellsTrade Self-Directed
Wells Fargo Private Bank
WebsiteLearn more→
Estate Care Center
Phone1-888-790-7980
Mailing Address
Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Estate Care Center, Attention: D1118-02D, PO Box 71208, Charlotte, NC 28201-1245
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jun 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Wells Fargo Advisors accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
