We understand that dealing with a loved one’s estate can be a difficult and sensitive process. This article outlines what steps need to be taken if someone who held investments through Snowball has passed away.
What should you do first?
If you are the executor, solicitor, or administrator of an estate, please contact us as soon as possible at [email protected] or via our contact page.
We will guide you through the next steps, which generally involve confirming your authority to act on behalf of the estate.
Documents we typically require
To begin processing changes to the account and ownership of any investments, we may request the following:
A copy of the probate, including the will
Instructions on who the shares are to be transferred to. These must align with the will
A copy of your ID (as the authorised executor or administrator)
If the shares are held via Snowball’s nominee, the transferee(s) will also need to complete AML onboarding. Once this is complete, we will prepare the relevant share transfer documentation to facilitate the transfer.
Additional documents may be required depending on the shareholding structure or company-specific requirements.
What happens to the investments?
Once the necessary documents have been received and verified:
The investor's account will be frozen to prevent activity until the estate process is complete.
Investments may either be transferred to a beneficiary or sold, depending on the company’s constitution, shareholder agreement, and the estate’s instructions.
If shares are held through Snowball’s nominee, we will coordinate the transfer.
Ongoing communication
We will continue to communicate with the verified estate contact until the transfer is finalised. Please ensure your contact details are provided clearly in your initial email.
Need help?
We’re here to support you through this process. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us, and our team will be in touch.