How to close a deceased person's Charles Schwab account

Charles Schwab handles closing a deceased person's account through an online form, or by phone. The steps below are Charles Schwab's own published process, taken from its official support pages — this page organizes them so you can see what the provider asks for; it doesn't add to them or recommend any particular action.

What you'll need

• Certified copy of the death certificate

Steps

1. Notify Schwab of the death online (usually a few minutes) — all you need is the person's name and Social Security number. You can upload the death certificate at the same time if you have it.
2. Schwab secures the deceased's accounts and prepares to work with the estate.
3. Once Schwab verifies the death certificate — typically within 5 business days — the inheritance process begins and Schwab reaches out to the inheritors and estate professionals associated with the account.
4. Inheritors complete the paperwork; Estate Services (including non-US support) is at 877-566-2284, Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. ET.

Closing one account is only part of the job — every recurring charge still draws on a card or bank account the estate will eventually claim. HeirLoft reads the recurring charges straight out of an inbox in one pass, so you can see everything that's still billing while you work down the list.

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How to contact Charles Schwab

• Charles Schwab's official page for deceased accounts
• Phone: 877-566-2284

Typical timeline

Death certificate verified typically within 5 business days; most transfers completed in a few weeks.

Sources

• https://www.schwab.com/life-events/losing-a-loved-one
• https://www.schwab.com/estate-planning/faqs

Last reviewed September 14, 2026 · Links verified September 14, 2026

Related guides

• Close a deceased person's account, provider by provider
• Accessing a deceased person's financial accounts

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