General information about asset records and transfers. Title, contracts, beneficiary forms, and local law determine the result.
A payable-on-death account passes under the institution's designation if the designation is valid and operative at death.
Map the asset before choosing a document
Records that answer the ownership question
- institution confirmation of primary and contingent beneficiaries
Transfer and administration decisions
- Does the designation coordinate with the overall plan and backup recipients?
Risks to pause on
- A stale designation can defeat later intentions stated only in a will.