We want to make it easy for you to understand the status of your USB account following the death of a joint account owner.

We follow these steps when transferring ownership of an account:

Step 1: Obtain the death certificate

 Before taking action or providing many specifics, we need a copy of the official death certificate. It’s important to send it immediately so we can help you understand your next steps.   

You can get copies of the death certificate from the funeral home or the local county records office. Upload the certificate using our secure Message Center. You can also send it by fax or regular mail. 

Step 2: Verify the type of joint account

 Account owners name a beneficiary on individual accounts to receive the account assets after the account owner’s death. The process is different for joint accounts; the account type determines what happens to the account assets.

The surviving owners retain all assets for:

• Joint tenants with rights of survivorship (JTWROS)
• Tenants by the entireties (TBE)
• Community property with rights of survivorship(CPWROS)

The deceased’s portion goes to the estate for:

• Joint community property (JCP)
• Joint tenants in common (JTIC)

(For definitions, see this page’s “Common terms” section.) 

Step 3: Identify the primary account owner 

 One owner typically files the taxes for a joint account under their Social Security Number; this person is the primary account owner.

Identifying the primary account owner determines what happens to the original account:

 – If the primary owner is deceased, the surviving owner(s) must open a United Stock Brokers account to receive their portion of the assets.

 – If the primary owner is alive, the surviving owner(s) can maintain the original account.

Step 4: Complete the transfer

 After we determine ownership, we transfer assets to the surviving owners.

No transfers are typically needed if the primary account owner is not deceased since we can maintain the original account.

If we transfer assets to a new account, we’ll notify you when the transfer is completed. The time frames vary with the type of account and the details of each situation. We will inform you about the estimated timeframe for a transfer.

Along with communicating our sincere sympathies for your loss, we want to make it easy for you to transfer inherited assets from a deceased account holder’s USB account.

We follow these steps when transferring ownership of an account:

Step 1: Obtain the death certificate

 Before beginning a transfer, we need a copy of the official death certificate. It’s important to send it immediately to safeguard the assets while the estate is settled.

You can get copies of the death certificate from the funeral home or the local county records office. You can upload the certificate using our secure Message Center if you have a USB account. You can also send it by fax or regular mail. 

Step 2: Verify the beneficiaries

 An account owner assigns a beneficiary to communicate who receives the account after their death. (A beneficiary named on account takes precedence over one named in a will.) An account owner may:

• Name the spouse as the sole beneficiary
• Have a son, daughter, another person, or organization as the beneficiary
• List multiple beneficiaries

If the account owner didn’t name any beneficiaries, the account becomes the estate’s property. The probate court appoints an executor to settle the financial affairs of the deceased’s estate. See the Executor section for details. 

Once we have the death certificate and the account owner’s Social Security or account number, we can determine whether or not there are beneficiaries named on the account.

(For definitions, see this page’s “Common terms” section.)

Step 3: Decide on any transfer details. 

 We will transfer ownership of account assets to the account beneficiary. This transfer requires opening a USB account in the beneficiary’s name to receive the assets. For estates, the executor opens an estate account. In most cases, this should be the same type of account that the deceased account owner had.

After the account transfer, the beneficiary has complete control of the assets. We are here to help in any way we can. Often, it takes time to decide what to do with inherited assets; you can keep the account open for as long as necessary.

Step 4: Complete the transfer

 We’ll handle the transfer and notify you when it’s completed. The timeframes will vary with the type of account and the

or not there are beneficiaries named on the account.

(For definitions, see this page’s “Common terms” section.)

Step 3: Decide on any transfer details. 

 We will transfer ownership of account assets to the account beneficiary. This transfer requires opening a USB account in the beneficiary’s name to receive the assets. For estates, the executor opens an estate account. In most cases, this should be the same type of account that the deceased account owner had.

After the account transfer, the beneficiary has complete control of the assets. We are here to help in any way we can. Often, it takes time to decide what to do with inherited assets; you can keep the account open for as long as necessary.

Step 4: Complete the transfer

 We’ll handle the transfer and notify you when it’s completed. The timeframes will vary with the type of account and the details of each situation. We will inform you about the estimated timeframe for the transfer.

We’re ready to help you. Resolving estate matters can be complicated. Our trained estate specialists can explain what’s needed in your situation and answer any questions. Speak with a specialist by calling +13478348283 and selecting option 1, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.

Whether a will or a probate court made you responsible for an estate, we want to make it easy for you to handle the assets of any United Stock Brokers accounts owned by the deceased. 

We follow these steps when transferring ownership of an account:

Step 1: Obtain the death certificate

 Before we can begin a transfer, we need the following:

• A copy of the official court document appointing you to act on behalf of the estate.
• A copy of the official death certificate. You can get copies from the funeral home or the local county records office. 

You can upload the documents using our secure Message Center if you have a USB account. You can also send them by fax or regular mail. 

Step 2: Verify the beneficiaries

 An account owner assigns a beneficiary to specify who receives the account after their death. (A beneficiary named on account takes precedence over one named in a will.) After we have the death certificate and the deceased’s Social Security or account number, we can identify the account beneficiaries.

If the account owner didn’t name any beneficiaries, the account becomes the estate’s property. The probate court appoints an executor to settle the financial affairs of the deceased’s estate. 

Once we have the death certificate and the account owner’s Social Security or account number, we can determine whether or not there are beneficiaries named on the account.

(For definitions, see this page’s “Common terms” section.)

Step 3: Decide on any transfer details. 

 We will transfer ownership of account assets to the estate. This transfer requires opening a USB estate account.

Most states allow for settling small estates without going through probate court; the dollar amount varies by state. Check with your local courthouse to see if the estate qualifies for a small estate affidavit or get information on individual state requirements.

Because of the many considerations in settling an estate, you may want to consult a tax advisor.

Step 4: Complete the transfer

 We’ll handle the transfer and notify you when it’s completed. The timeframes will vary with the type of account and the details of each situation. We will inform you about the estimated timeframe for the transfer.

We’re ready to help you. Resolving estate matters can be complicated. Our trained estate specialists can explain what’s needed in your situation and answer any questions. Speak with a specialist by calling +13478348283 and selecting option 1, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.