How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at William Blair
Covers 6 investment, 1 deposit, and 4 retirement accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
William Blair & Company, L.L.C., 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606
Private Wealth Management / Wealth Strategy
William Blair & Company, L.L.C., 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606
William Blair & Company, L.L.C., 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606
Preparing your William Blair investment 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.
Across 11 product types, William Blair investment accounts vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through Transfer on Death (TOD) designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
- Log in to the My William Blair client portal at williamblair.com/mywilliamblair or the My William Blair mobile app
- Navigate to account settings or contact your advisor through the secure messaging feature
- Beneficiary updates may require advisor involvement; the portal provides access to account documents and advisor communication
- For portal support, call 1-800-730-6003, Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM CT, or email PWM@williamblair.com
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Most beneficiary changes are handled through the assigned private wealth advisor
- My William Blair client portal available for account access and advisor communication
- TOD designation supersedes will provisions for the account
- William Blair publishes an estate planning checklist recommending regular review of beneficiary designations
- Digital assets should also be addressed in estate planning per William Blair guidance
- For mutual fund accounts, contact William Blair Funds at 1-800-635-2886, Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-7:00 PM ET, Friday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM ET
Sources
Data sourced from William Blair primary sources (21 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these William Blair instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against William Blair primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
William Blair & Company, L.L.C., 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606
Private Wealth Management / Wealth Strategy
William Blair & Company, L.L.C., 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606
William Blair & Company, L.L.C., 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your William Blair accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreMore estate planning resources
Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.
