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OverviewPreparing your estateWhen someone dies
OverviewPreparing your estateWhen someone dies
SimplyTrust forms
Letter of Instruction
Home→Financial Institutions→Wells Fargo→Preparing your estate

How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Wells Fargo

Covers 8 deposit, 6 investment, 6 retirement, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch

Wells Fargo

Subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company

wellsfargo.com→
Wells Fargo logo
Phone1-800-869-3557
Toll-Free1-888-790-7980
Fax1-866-358-1145
Mailing Address

Wells Fargo Advisors, MAC N9160-01P, PO Box 77046, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9902

WellsTrade Estate Claims
1-800-662-8211
Wells Fargo Advisors Estate Claims
1-800-603-1584
The Private Bank
1-877-646-8560

Estate Care Center

Phone1-888-790-7980
Fax1-866-358-1145
Mailing Address

Wells Fargo Advisors, MAC N9160-01P, PO Box 77046, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9902

WellsTrade Estate Claims
1-800-662-8211
Wells Fargo Advisors Estate Claims
1-800-603-1584
The Private Bank
1-877-646-8560
WebsiteLearn more→

Estate Care Center

Phone1-888-790-7980
Fax1-866-358-1145
Mailing Address

Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Estate Care Center, Attention: D1118-02D, PO Box 71208, Charlotte, NC 28201-1245

WellsTrade Estate Claims
1-800-662-8211
Wells Fargo Advisors Estate Claims
1-800-603-1584
The Private Bank
1-877-646-8560
Home Mortgage
1-866-234-8271
Life Events Team (Successor in Interest)
1-877-822-7864
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026

There are two ways to keep your Wells Fargo 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.

Wells Fargo has 22 product types, and the estate transfer rules differ across them. Some support Payable on Death (POD) designations, some can be retitled into a trust, and others will require probate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.

Everyday CheckingPrime CheckingPremier CheckingClear Access BankingWay2Save SavingsPlatinum SavingsWells Fargo CDWells Fargo Special CD
1
Visit a Wells Fargo branch and request the beneficiary form
  • Bring valid government-issued photo ID
  • For bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs): request a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation form
2
Provide beneficiary details and complete the form
  • Provide each beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number
  • Specify percentage allocations for each beneficiary (must total 100%)
  • For trusts as beneficiary: provide trust name, date established, and EIN
  • Review and sign the completed form with a banker

Required Documents

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

Special Requirements

  • Louisiana residents may not open TOD accounts with Wells Fargo Advisors
  • Trusts, estates, and charities can be named as beneficiaries
  • Notarization required when submitting POD form by mail
  • Named beneficiaries override your will
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 8, 2026

Sources

  • wellsfargo.com
  • wellsfargoadvisors.com
  • fa.wellsfargoadvisors.com
  • icomplete.wellsfargo.com

Data sourced from Wells Fargo primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.

Download these Wells Fargo instructions

Download instructions for the whole estate→

A printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Wells Fargo primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.

Wells Fargo

Subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company

wellsfargo.com→
Wells Fargo logo
Phone1-800-869-3557
Toll-Free1-888-790-7980
Fax1-866-358-1145
Mailing Address

Wells Fargo Advisors, MAC N9160-01P, PO Box 77046, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9902

WellsTrade Estate Claims
1-800-662-8211
Wells Fargo Advisors Estate Claims
1-800-603-1584
The Private Bank
1-877-646-8560

Estate Care Center

Phone1-888-790-7980
Fax1-866-358-1145
Mailing Address

Wells Fargo Advisors, MAC N9160-01P, PO Box 77046, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9902

WellsTrade Estate Claims
1-800-662-8211
Wells Fargo Advisors Estate Claims
1-800-603-1584
The Private Bank
1-877-646-8560
WebsiteLearn more→

Estate Care Center

Phone1-888-790-7980
Fax1-866-358-1145
Mailing Address

Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Estate Care Center, Attention: D1118-02D, PO Box 71208, Charlotte, NC 28201-1245

WellsTrade Estate Claims
1-800-662-8211
Wells Fargo Advisors Estate Claims
1-800-603-1584
The Private Bank
1-877-646-8560
Home Mortgage
1-866-234-8271
Life Events Team (Successor in Interest)
1-877-822-7864
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026

Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your Wells Fargo accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.

When you're ready, we're here.

A revocable living trust skips probate, stays private, and takes 15 minutes.

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Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your Wells Fargo accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.

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