Overview
Robinhood is a commission-free brokerage known for its mobile-first approach, serving over 23 million customers with significant assets under custody. When an account holder passes away, the estate representative must notify Robinhood through their dedicated digital channel to secure the account and initiate the transfer process.
This guide covers Robinhood's estate services process, which differs from traditional banks. Unlike brick-and-mortar institutions, Robinhood handles death notifications primarily through a secure online portal and email. They do not have a public-facing estate department phone number for initial intake.
Robinhood operates in all 50 states, so state-specific probate requirements will affect your process.
This guide provides informational guidance only. It is not legal advice, and SwiftProbate is not a law firm. Laws and institutional procedures change — verify current requirements directly with Robinhood and consider consulting a qualified attorney.
Notification Process
How to Notify Robinhood of a Death
Step 1: Gather Initial Information
Before contacting Robinhood, have the following ready:
- Decedent's full legal name and date of birth
- Date of death
- Social Security number
- Account email address (if known)
- Your name and relationship to the decedent
- A digital copy (photo or scan) of the death certificate
- A digital copy of your government-issued ID
Step 2: Submit the Online Estate Form
Robinhood does not have a direct phone line for estate intake. You must initiate the process online:
- Go to the Robinhood Estates Form.
- Select "I am reporting a death."
- Upload the death certificate (ensure all 4 corners and the seal are visible).
- Upload your government-issued ID (front and back).
- Submit the form.
Note: Do not upload wills or trust documents at this stage unless specifically requested.
Step 3: Wait for Estate Representative Contact
After you submit the form, a member of Robinhood's estate services team will review the information and contact you via email.
- Response time: Typically 1–3 business days.
- Case Number: You will receive a reference number in the confirmation email. Keep this for your records.
Step 4: Submit Additional Documents
If the account requires probate or has specific complexities, the estate representative will request additional documents (such as Letters Testamentary) via a secure link or provide a specific mailing address.
Mail to:
Only mail documents if explicitly instructed by the estate representative. Most documents can be uploaded digitally.
Step 5: Receive Funds / Transfer Assets
Once all documents are approved:
- Beneficiaries: Assets can be transferred to a Robinhood account in the beneficiary's name or liquidated and sent via check.
- Estate: Assets are typically liquidated and a check is issued to "The Estate of [Decedent]."
Required Documents
Documents Robinhood Requires
The exact documents depend on account type, account value, and whether the estate is going through probate.
Always Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Certified death certificate | Digital scan/photo usually accepted for initial review |
| Government-issued photo ID | Front and back of the person claiming the account |
| Robinhood Estate Form | Submitted online |
If There Is a Will (Testate Estate)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Letters Testamentary | Issued by the probate court — must be dated within 60 days |
| EIN (Employer Identification Number) | For the estate, if opening an estate account elsewhere |
If There Is No Will (Intestate Estate)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Letters of Administration | Issued by the probate court |
| EIN | For the estate |
Small Estate (Below Probate Threshold)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Small estate affidavit | State-specific form — check our state probate guides |
Beneficiary / POD / TOD Accounts
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Certified death certificate | Usually the only document needed |
| Beneficiary's ID | Government-issued photo ID |
Trust Accounts
Note: Robinhood does not support opening accounts in the name of a Trust, but Trusts can be named as beneficiaries.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Trust Certification | If the Trust is the beneficiary |
| Trustee ID | ID of the trustee claiming the assets |
Account Types
How Robinhood Handles Different Account Types
Joint Accounts (JTWROS)
Robinhood joint accounts are "Joint With Rights of Survivorship." The surviving owner automatically assumes full ownership. They must notify Robinhood to remove the decedent's name.
Timeline: 3–7 business days
POD (Payable on Death) / TOD (Transfer on Death) Beneficiary Accounts
If the decedent named a TOD beneficiary, assets transfer directly to them outside of probate. Beneficiaries must open their own Robinhood account to receive securities or request liquidation.
Timeline: 5–10 business days
Trust Accounts
Robinhood does not offer trust accounts (accounts titled in the name of a trust). However, a trust can be a named beneficiary. The trustee must claim the assets on behalf of the trust.
Timeline: 10–20 business days
Individual Accounts (Probate Required)
Accounts with no beneficiary designation become part of the estate. The executor must provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration to claim the funds.
Timeline: 3–6+ months (depending on probate court)
Retirement Accounts (IRA, Roth IRA)
Named beneficiaries can claim the account. Spouses may assume the IRA; non-spouses must open an Inherited IRA or take a lump-sum distribution (tax implications apply).
Timeline: 7–14 business days
Crypto Accounts
Important: Crypto assets are currently not covered by TOD beneficiary designations at Robinhood. They typically must go through the estate process unless the account is Joint JTWROS.
Timeline: Varies (often requires probate)
State Considerations
How Your State Affects the Robinhood Process
Robinhood operates nationally, but probate is governed by state law. Your state determines:
- Whether probate is required and how long it takes
- Small estate thresholds — estates below certain values can skip formal probate
- Community property rules — in community property states (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI), spousal consent may be required for non-spouse beneficiaries.
- Louisiana residents: TOD registrations are not available for customers in Louisiana.
Key State Variations
| State | Small Estate Threshold | Community Property? | Notable Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $184,500 | Yes | Strict probate rules |
| Texas | $75,000 | Yes | Independent administration available |
| Florida | $75,000 | No | Summary administration for small estates |
| New York | $50,000 | No | Voluntary administration for small estates |
For detailed probate requirements, see our state and county probate guides.
Timelines
How Long Robinhood Takes to Release Funds
| Account Type | Estimated Timeline | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Joint account | 3–7 business days | Quickest process; survivorship applies |
| POD/TOD beneficiary | 5–10 business days | Requires beneficiary to open Robinhood account |
| Small estate affidavit | 3–6 weeks | Includes document review time |
| Probate (simple estate) | 3–6 months | Depends on court processing time |
| Probate (complex estate) | 6–12+ months | Disputes, taxes, or multiple jurisdictions |
| Crypto assets | Varies | Often requires probate even if TOD exists on brokerage side |
Note: Robinhood's digital-first review process can be faster than traditional banks, but document deficiencies will reset the clock.
Tips & Pitfalls
Common Pitfalls and Tips
Crypto Assets Are Treated Differently
Do not assume your crypto assets will automatically transfer to your TOD beneficiary. Robinhood currently excludes crypto from TOD designations, meaning these assets often fall into the probate estate.
No Direct Phone Line
Do not try to call the general customer support line for estate issues; they will likely just direct you to the online form. Submit the form first to generate a case number.
Beneficiaries Must Open Accounts
To receive stock transfers (rather than cash liquidation), beneficiaries usually need to open their own Robinhood account.
Watch Out for Margin
If the decedent had a margin account, the estate is responsible for the debt. Market fluctuations could trigger a margin call, potentially liquidating assets before you claim them.
Download Tax Documents Early
Once the account is restricted, access to historical tax documents (1099s) may be difficult. Request these immediately from the estate representative.
Automatic Deposits
Direct deposits (like paychecks) sent to the account after death will be returned to the sender.