[the_Watchman]

For everyone reading this thread make a note: Fill out a beneficiary document with your broker for each account!

Schwab had my wife and I designate the primary and secondary beneficiaries. If this type of document had been in force, then they might have mistakenly distributed your account, but at least the funds would have been delivered to appropriate parties.

[grania]

Another thing folks need to do is keep all accounts and insurance policies updated, both first and second choice for beneficiaries.

I can't imagine how much money insurance companies are sitting on because nobody even knows they exist.