What to do when a William Blair account holder dies
Report the death to William Blair at 1-800-730-6003
When an account holder at William Blair passes away, the next step depends on how the investment accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with William Blair to access and distribute the funds.
The first step is contacting William Blair with the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate in hand.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with William Blair:
Filing a claim
- William Blair's settling guide directs survivors to the wealth advisor for title changes on investments.
- Without an advisor contact, William Blair's Contact Us page lists support staff at +1 800 730 6003, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, and the headquarters at +1 312 236 1600.
- A copy of the death certificate, to make title changes on investments.
- A copy of the will and/or trust, to confirm a beneficiary's right to assets.
- William Blair's guide states: "If you plan to open an account for the estate, the estate will need its own tax identification number."
Required Documents
- Copy of the death certificateThe wealth advisor needs it to make title changes on investments.
- Copy of the will and/or trustThe wealth advisor needs it to confirm a beneficiary's right to assets.
- Estate tax identification number, if an account is opened for the estate
What happens to each kind of account1
- IRA
William Blair's guide states that retirement accounts held at death pass to the named beneficiary without going through probate.1
Not in William Blair's published guidance3
- A claim form
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- How long a claim takes
Sources1
- 1.Settling the Affairs of a Loved One, August 2025
Investment Accounts
1 product- A letter of instruction signed by the beneficiary, Medallion Guaranteed, stating the name of the deceased account owner and the date of death.
- A completed new account application.
- An inheritance tax waiver if required by the decedent's state of residence.
- Foreign persons also complete Form W-8BEN.
- In addition to the items above, an affidavit under penalty of perjury that there are no known disputes or claims that would affect the requested distribution.
- William Blair Funds, P.O. Box 219137, Kansas City, MO 64121-9137 (overnight: 801 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 219137, Kansas City, MO 64105-1307).
- For assistance call 1-800-635-2886 or 1-800-742-7272.
Required Documents
- Letter of instruction signed by the beneficiary, Medallion GuaranteedIt states the name of the deceased account owner and the date of death.
- Completed new account application
- Inheritance tax waiver, if required by the decedent's state of residence
- Form W-8BEN, for foreign persons
- Affidavit of no known disputes or claims, if there are multiple beneficiariesMade under penalty of perjury, stating that there are no known disputes or claims that would affect the requested distribution.
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-635-2886
Mailing address: William Blair Funds, P.O. Box 219137, Kansas City, MO 64121-9137
What happens to each kind of account1
- Investment account
These transfer-on-death requirements apply to William Blair Funds accounts held directly with the funds, not to Private Wealth Management accounts custodied at NFS.1
Not in William Blair's published guidance1
- Death certificate requirement
Sources1
Applies To
Sources
- williamblair.com
- im.williamblair.com
- docs.im.williamblair.com
- files.adviserinfo.sec.gov
- brokercheck.finra.org
Data sourced from William Blair primary sources (31 pages reviewed). How we research.
William Blair death claims support
Contact Us (support staff)
Phone
Toll-free
Los Angeles office, Private Wealth
William Blair Funds (form assistance)
William Blair Funds (prospectus and summary prospectus)
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
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