How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Westamerica Bank
Covers 7 deposit, 2 retirement, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Westamerica Bank, General Bank Correspondence, PO Box 1200, Suisun City, CA 94585-1200
Westamerica Bank Investment Management and Trust Services
Westamerica Bank Trust Services, PO Box 1240, Suisun City, CA 94585-1240
Westamerica Bank, General Bank Correspondence, PO Box 1200, Suisun City, CA 94585-1200
Preparing your Westamerica 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.
Westamerica Bank has 11 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.
- Full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship for each beneficiary
- Allocation percentages if naming multiple beneficiaries
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trust beneficiary designations may require a copy of the Certification of Trust
- IRA beneficiary changes for married account holders may require spousal consent under California community property law
Sources
Data sourced from Westamerica Bank primary sources (12 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Westamerica Bank instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Westamerica Bank primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Westamerica Bank, General Bank Correspondence, PO Box 1200, Suisun City, CA 94585-1200
Westamerica Bank Investment Management and Trust Services
Westamerica Bank Trust Services, PO Box 1240, Suisun City, CA 94585-1240
Westamerica Bank, General Bank Correspondence, PO Box 1200, Suisun City, CA 94585-1200
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