What Happens to Your Charles Schwab Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Deadline
None
Difficulty
Moderate
Documents
Death cert + probate
Step-by-Step Guide
List all Schwab accounts
Document brokerage, IRA, checking, and any other Schwab account numbers.
Estimated time: 10 min
Set TOD beneficiaries
Add Transfer on Death beneficiaries to brokerage accounts to bypass probate.
Estimated time: 15 min
Verify retirement beneficiaries
Check and update IRA/401k beneficiary designations — they override your will.
Warning: Retirement beneficiaries must be updated separately from your will.
Estimated time: 10 min
Executor contacts Schwab
Call 1-800-435-4000 with Death Certificate and Letters Testamentary to begin the estate process.
Document Now Checklist
- All account numbers
- Beneficiary designations
- Account values
- Type of each account
Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Charles Schwab. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Related Guides
PayPal
PayPal balances are estate assets. Recurring payments continue until cancelled by executor.
Venmo
Venmo balance is an estate asset. Family cannot access the social feed or transaction history directly.
Cash App
If you hold Bitcoin in Cash App, document this separately — crypto recovery requires additional steps.
Protect your Charles Schwab account — and all your others
Document your digital life in a zero-knowledge encrypted vault. 1,800+ platform guides. Dead Man's Switch. Everything your family needs.
Start your free trial →