Estate planning and settlement at Western & Southern
Name beneficiaries by mail, fund a trust by mail, and report a death at 1-800-926-1315
Western & Southern is an insurance company with 15 products relevant to estate planning. Life insurance and annuity proceeds transfer directly to named beneficiaries outside of probate, making beneficiary designations one of the most important estate planning steps for Western & Southern policyholders.
Western & Southern lets account holders update beneficiary designations by mail, typically taking 3 to 5 business days to process. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to name a trust as the policy beneficiary or establish an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT).
There are two sides to estate planning at Western & Southern: setting things up while you're alive, and the process survivors follow after a death.
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to fund a trust by mail, and review 15 account types at Western & Southern.
Preparing your estate →Death claim process
Report the death to Western & Southern's Claims Department at 1-800-926-1315. The page lists the steps and the documents to send.
When someone dies →
Sources
Data sourced from Western & Southern primary sources (37 pages reviewed). How we research.
Western & Southern customer support
Western & Southern Life Call Center
Phone
One-time payments
Power of Attorney or legal documents
Medicaid & Government Programs
Columbus Life
Gerber Life
Lafayette Life
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Western & Southern accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Forms for Planning Your Estate
Free forms for planning your estate: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.
Transfer on Death Deed
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate. Available in 34 states and the District of Columbia.
Vehicle Transfer on Death
Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate. Available in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
Tools for Planning Your Estate
Free tools for planning your estate: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
Compare the cost of probate vs a trust for your state and estate value.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare revocable living trust costs across providers including online services and attorneys.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare will costs across providers plus probate costs your heirs will pay.
How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
