In the days after a death, it’s normal to feel like your mind is split in two. One side is trying to grieve, to show up for family, to make funeral decisions that feel impossibly “big.” The other side is staring at practical tasks that keep arriving anyway: mail, statements, passwords, and automatic transfers that don’t pause just because life has changed. If you’ve discovered a Wealthfront account and you’re now responsible for handling it, you’re not behind. You’re simply stepping into a role—often suddenly—that requires a calm plan.
This guide is written for everyday families. It explains the Wealthfront estate process in plain language: what to gather, who can request changes, how assets are typically transferred, and what to do about recurring deposits, withdrawals, and a Cash Account. It’s not legal or tax advice, but it will help you understand the steps so you can move forward with fewer surprises.
Start with authority: who can act on a Wealthfront deceased account
When someone dies, most financial institutions can’t discuss details with “next of kin” unless that person is legally authorized. Wealthfront follows the same general pattern brokerage firms use: once notified, they request documentation to verify the death and confirm who has the right to give instructions. The easiest path is when the account already has a valid beneficiary designation. When there is no beneficiary (or the account type doesn’t allow one), the path may run through an executor, administrator, or trustee.
There’s a human reason this can feel frustrating. You might have access to a phone or laptop and feel tempted to “just log in and handle it.” But it’s usually safer to treat the account like any other titled asset: gather documents, notify the firm, and let them guide the transfer. FINRA explains that brokerage firms typically request a death certificate and proof of appointment for the executor/administrator, with requirements varying by account type and state. FINRA also notes that firms often have trained staff to help families through the process.
If you need a broader map for the first days of paperwork—death certificates, notifications, and “what can’t wait”—Funeral.com’s guide to what to do when someone dies in the first 48 hours can help you build a steadier order of operations before you tackle account-by-account tasks.
What Wealthfront asks for when an account owner passes away
According to Wealthfront Support, closing or transferring an account after death generally starts with an estate request and a set of documents that prove two things: (1) the account owner has died, and (2) you are authorized to act. The core documents Wealthfront lists include a copy of the death certificate and either probate documents (like Letters Testamentary/Letters of Administration) or, in smaller estates where allowed, a small-estate affidavit. Trust accounts typically require trust documents as well.
Wealthfront also references specific forms used in the process, including a Beneficiary/Executor Identification Form. The form itself notes that it requires notarization and that each beneficiary may need to complete their own version if multiple beneficiaries have a claim. It also lists contact options and includes Wealthfront Brokerage’s mailing address and fax number. See the Beneficiary/Executor Identification Form for the current requirements and submission details.
Families often ask one practical question right away: “How long will this take?” Wealthfront states that, in most cases, transfers can take about 2–4 weeks from the date they receive the required paperwork in good order. That timeline can feel long when bills are still coming in, but it’s common across many financial institutions because verification and transfer steps must be handled carefully. Wealthfront Support is the best place to check for updated timing.
A simple document bundle that prevents delays
Most delays happen because the right paperwork exists, but it’s scattered. If you can, build one clean packet before you contact Wealthfront. In practice, that usually means having a clear copy of the death certificate ready, along with proof that you’re allowed to act—often Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration if probate is required, or a small estate affidavit if your state allows you to use one instead. If the account is held in a trust, you’ll typically need the relevant trust documents. Wealthfront may also ask for a government-issued photo ID for the person making the request, and it commonly uses the Beneficiary/Executor Identification Form, which may need to be completed and notarized. Finally, if the assets are moving to another institution—especially for retirement accounts—there may be additional transfer paperwork involved (for example, IRA distribution or transfer forms), and having those ready can help prevent back-and-forth.
If you’re trying to locate a will, account statements, or even a simple account number, Funeral.com’s guide to important papers to organize before and after a death is a gentle walkthrough of where families commonly find the details that unlock everything else.
How to notify Wealthfront and submit an estate request
Once you have the basics, you can start the close Wealthfront account after death process by contacting Wealthfront and submitting documents through the channel they recommend. Wealthfront’s own guidance lists options such as uploading documents through a login (when applicable), requesting a secure email link, or faxing paperwork. Wealthfront Support provides the current methods. The Beneficiary/Executor form also lists Wealthfront Brokerage contact information and submission options. Wealthfront’s form includes the firm’s mailing address and fax number as well.
If you’re feeling unsure what to say when you call or email, it may help to think of your goal as simple and narrow: “I am notifying you of a death and asking for the exact list of documents needed for this account type so the assets can be transferred correctly.” You do not need to have every answer on the first call. You just need a clear next step.
Closing vs. transferring: what happens to the assets
In real life, “closing” a brokerage account after death rarely means cashing everything out and sending a check the next day. More often, it means transferring the assets to the right recipient—either to the named beneficiary or to the estate/trust—so they can be distributed according to the account’s beneficiary designation or the legal documents.
Wealthfront notes a key detail many families don’t expect: Wealthfront doesn’t support Inherited (Beneficiary) IRA accounts or estate accounts at Wealthfront itself, but it may approve a direct transfer from the decedent’s account to an estate or an inherited IRA “for the benefit of” the beneficiary through ACATS, depending on circumstances. Wealthfront Support explains this and is worth reading carefully if the person who died held an IRA.
This is one of those moments where the account type matters more than the brand name on the statement. A taxable investment account, an IRA, a trust account, and a Cash Account each have different rules about who can receive the assets and how quickly. If you’re balancing multiple moving parts—probate, beneficiaries, and timelines—Funeral.com’s article on estate planning basics after a death can help you understand what the executor role actually involves, in a way that doesn’t feel like a law textbook.
Why you may hear about “step-up in cost basis”
Even if you are not a “numbers person,” it’s useful to know why brokerage firms bring up cost basis after a death. Wealthfront notes that a “step-up in cost basis” may apply to inherited assets, adjusting the purchase price/date to the fair market value on the date of death, and that questions about tax implications should go to a tax advisor. Wealthfront Support mentions this because it can affect future capital gains when the recipient sells investments. You don’t need to master it today, but you do want to avoid making rushed sell decisions without understanding the tax picture.
What to do about automatic deposits, recurring transfers, and withdrawals
One of the hardest parts of handling a Wealthfront deceased account is that money may still be moving in the background. Automated deposits, scheduled withdrawals, and recurring transfers were set up to support someone’s life—and they often keep running until you stop them. That doesn’t mean you need to panic, but it does mean you should put guardrails in place early.
If you have legal authority and Wealthfront confirms you can act, ask specifically about how to stop recurring transfers Wealthfront and how to prevent new deposits while the estate request is in process. If you do not have authority yet, you can still take practical steps outside the platform. For example, if direct deposit was going into a linked account, you can notify the employer and ask what documentation they require to stop or reroute future deposits. If there were bank accounts linked for transfers, you can contact those banks and ask about stopping ACH transfers or recurring pulls; Funeral.com’s guide to notifying banks after a death can help you gather what the bank will likely ask for before they discuss details. It’s also wise to watch for autopay relationships connected to the deceased person’s debit card or checking account, because those payments can indirectly keep funding investment transfers.
Families often feel guilty when they discover recurring charges still happening weeks later. Try to treat it as a normal part of modern life, not a personal failure. If you need a broader cancellation roadmap—subscriptions, utilities, memberships, and the practical “closing out” side of grief—Funeral.com’s guide to closing accounts and subscriptions after a death is designed to help you work through it without feeling swamped.
If there is a Wealthfront Cash Account: FDIC, SIPC, and what families misunderstand
Cash accounts at fintech platforms often create extra confusion because they don’t “feel” like brokerage accounts, yet the structure is different from a traditional bank. Wealthfront explains that the Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (a FINRA/SIPC member) and that cash deposits are swept to partner banks where they may be eligible for FDIC insurance, subject to conditions. Wealthfront Support describes this structure in its SIPC overview.
Wealthfront also states that it provides up to $8 million in FDIC insurance through partner banks for individual Cash Accounts, and that Joint Cash Accounts may have up to $16 million, depending on how deposits are swept and insured. Wealthfront Support provides the details and the conditions.
Separately, SIPC coverage is often misunderstood. SIPC generally protects against missing cash and securities held at a financially troubled SIPC-member brokerage firm, up to $500,000 (including a $250,000 limit for cash). SIPC explains what it does and does not protect. The practical takeaway for families is simple: you don’t need to “rush to withdraw” purely out of fear, but you do want to follow the firm’s documented process so assets end up titled correctly for the rightful recipient.
Common account scenarios that change the steps
The phrase transfer Wealthfront account to beneficiary sounds straightforward, but the details can vary based on what the person owned and how it was titled. Here are a few scenarios that commonly affect what Wealthfront will request:
If the account has named beneficiaries
When beneficiaries are properly recorded, transfers can be more direct because the account is designed to pass outside probate. Wealthfront explains how account holders can add or update beneficiaries through the app or website. Wealthfront Support provides the current instructions. For survivors, the key point is that beneficiary designations typically control, even if a will says something different. If you’re uncertain, treat it as a “verify first” moment: ask Wealthfront what the account shows and what documentation is required for the listed beneficiary to receive the assets.
If the estate is going through probate
If there is no beneficiary designation, or if the account is not structured to transfer directly, probate documents may be required to prove who can act for the estate. Wealthfront lists probate documents such as Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary as part of what may be needed. Wealthfront Support also notes that a small estate affidavit may be used when bypassing probate is allowed and appropriate.
If it’s a retirement account (IRA)
Retirement accounts can involve additional forms and timing rules. Wealthfront references IRA and Roth IRA distribution forms in its list of required paperwork, and notes that it doesn’t support inherited IRA accounts at Wealthfront, though transfers may be approved to an inherited IRA at another institution via ACATS in certain circumstances. Wealthfront Support is the place to start so you don’t rely on guesswork.
A steady, practical timeline most families can follow
Grief rarely gives you uninterrupted “administrative time.” So instead of trying to finish everything in one weekend, it can help to work in stages that match how banks and brokerages actually operate.
The first few days: protect, collect, and pause what you can
Focus on securing devices, gathering basic documents, and stopping obvious financial leakage. If passwords and two-factor authentication are becoming a barrier, Funeral.com’s digital accounts after a death checklist can help you approach access issues in a safer order: devices first, preservation second, account-by-account third.
The next two to four weeks: submit paperwork and wait for transfers to complete
This is where the estate request and the “in good order” paperwork matter. Wealthfront’s stated timeline of roughly 2–4 weeks after receiving correct documentation can be a helpful expectation to hold, especially if multiple beneficiaries must submit forms or if probate documents are still being issued. Wealthfront Support is the best source for the current estimate.
After the transfer: organize tax documents and close the loop
Once assets have moved where they belong, you may still receive year-end tax forms or statements. That’s normal. A closing step many families appreciate is simply creating one folder—paper or digital—with the final confirmation of transfer/closure, the submitted forms, and any correspondence. Future-you will be grateful when a letter arrives months later and you don’t have to reconstruct everything from memory.
A final reassurance: this is paperwork, not a measure of love
Handling a close robo advisor account after death task can feel oddly intimate, because you are stepping into someone’s financial life at the same time you’re trying to honor their memory. If this process feels heavy, that makes sense. You’re not just closing an account; you’re closing a chapter.
Take it one step at a time: gather the documents, notify Wealthfront, ask for the exact checklist for the account type, and stop the recurring transfers you can. If you need a broader, human-paced guide for the other responsibilities around it—bank notifications, cancellations, and all the small practical tasks that surround funeral planning—Funeral.com’s resources are here to support you as you move through it.
