Last verified 2026-09-05; facts checked against the primary sources below
EQ Shareowner Services after a shareholder dies
Last verified: September 5, 2026
The short answer: Call EQ Shareowner Services at 800-468-9716 or 651-450-4064 and identify the company whose shares are registered. EQ's general transfer packet includes a Stock Power form and different instructions for deceased owners, beneficiaries, and trustees.
Are these directly registered shares?
| Statement identifies | Starting point |
|---|---|
| EQ servicing the issuer's shareholder record | EQ's transfer instructions for that issuer |
| A brokerage account holding the stock | The broker's deceased-account process |
Look at the statement before choosing a process. A shareholder record serviced by EQ is different from a brokerage account containing the same company's stock. Record the issuer name, registration, account number, and whether paper certificates exist. If the statement instead names a broker as the account provider, start with that broker.
Which transfer path should you confirm?
Ask EQ to match the registration to the deceased-owner, surviving-owner, TOD-beneficiary, or successor-trustee instructions. The packet permits an authorized representative to sign in a stated legal capacity when the registered owner has died. Death records, authority evidence, and state-specific documents depend on the route.
Do you need a Medallion Signature Guarantee?
EQ's packet includes guarantee instructions and a conditional, paid waiver for certain transfers. Eligibility depends on the transfer value, residency, transaction type, and documents. Confirm those conditions before paying for a guarantee or waiver. A routine notarization should not be substituted without EQ's confirmation.
What should you record before mailing shares?
Ask for the complete checklist for the issuer, the receiving registration, the accepted document versions, and current delivery instructions. Keep copies of every form and certificate and record tracking information for anything mailed. Ask separately about dividends, missing certificates, and final tax records.
For a separate transfer-agent relationship, see Computershare after death. The account finder and institution comparison help distinguish additional holdings.
EQ's current instructions for the issuer and share registration control the transfer.