Bank Accounts and Financial Institutions
What happens to their stocks and investments?
Short answer
Same rules as bank accounts: joint accounts transfer to the surviving owner, accounts with named beneficiaries transfer directly, accounts with no beneficiary or joint holder go through the estate. For accounts held in a trust, the successor trustee manages the transfer.
What this usually means
Same rules as bank accounts: joint accounts transfer to the surviving owner, accounts with named beneficiaries transfer directly, accounts with no beneficiary or joint holder go through the estate. For accounts held in a trust, the successor trustee manages the transfer.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.