Acorns is an app that enables users to invest anything from spare change to a regularly recurring fixed amount. Depending on the subscription purchased, it’s also a one-stop shop that can provide a retirement account, checking account, debit account, and money advice.
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You may have used Acorns for years but eventually, you might want to say goodbye and close your Acorns account. It’s always better to close out financial accounts instead of letting them sit idle. Closing Acorns means you’ll ensure your fiscal safety and reduce the potential for hackers to access your information.
Tip: If you are the executor for a deceased loved one, closing accounts and other aspects of handling a loved one's unfinished business can be overwhelming without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.
How to Close a Deceased Loved One’s Acorns Account
Closing investment accounts is just as important as canceling credit cards after a death. No financial account should stay open. Unattended accounts are prime targets for hackers and identity thieves. Closing these accounts helps you avoid tax problems later on. Closing your loved one’s account only requires a few steps.
Contact customer service
The first place to start the process of closing your loved one’s Acorns account is to contact customer service. Though customer service can’t provide the particulars regarding the account, they will be able to give you all the necessary information such as updates to required paperwork or forms required to close it. This is always a good starting point.
Collect necessary documents
Each financial institution will require several documents to legally proceed with an account closure. If this account is one of several you are responsible for closing as the executor, consider obtaining several copies of these documents at the same time to be ready for other transactions with financial institutions.
Death certificate
Your loved one’s death certificate is one of the most important pieces of documentation necessary to carry out your executor duties. For any official purpose, you must obtain a certified copy. Certified copies alone provide you with proof of your relative’s passing.
An informational copy might be good enough if you need to close non-financial accounts such as a gym membership, but certified copies are always required for legal proceedings.
To get a certified copy of your loved one’s death certificate, you’ll need to apply for copies through your state’s Office of Vital Statistics. Every state is different but vital statistics offices charge around $10 per copy on average.
This can be a bit pricey, especially if you have an excessive amount of accounts to close. As the executor, you can charge to the deceased’s estate and have it reimbursed to you later.
Proof of your executorship
As an executor, you are responsible for closing accounts and distributing assets according to your loved one’s will. You must, however, prove your legal status as executor in order to carry out all of your executor duties. This proof can come in several forms, including:
- Certified executorship document
- Court-issued personal representative document
- Letters of testamentary
- Letters of administration
Any of the above documents can be obtained through the probate process or through legal proceedings as specified in your loved one’s will.
If your loved one’s estate isn’t significant enough to go through the full probate process, then you’ll need to acquire a small estate affidavit instead.
Small estate affidavit
A small estate affidavit is a form that authorizes a relative to claim assets without going through the traditional probate process. This saves a significant amount of time and money since the entire process is simplified and one person is approved to distribute assets.
Proof of your identity as the executor
In order to conduct any business, you must show proof that you are who you say you are. Numerous forms are valid when proving identity and you can choose among the following:
- Current driver’s license
- Current U.S. or foreign government passport
- Current immigration card
- Permanent residence card
- U.S. military card
All forms of ID should be current. Expired forms may not be acceptable with many financial institutions and can delay the process of account closure until you provide acceptable proof.
Write a letter of instruction to acorns
While you will be able to specify what you want to happen to any money in the Acorns accounts, it’s important that this is handed to the company in writing. Always put instructions in writing for legal reasons with the estate and documentation purposes.
In the letter, you should specify where money should go once the accounts are closed and if there are multiple holdings. List each in the letter so there are no questions later on.
Mail documents
At this point, you’ll need to mail all of the above documents, plus anything Acorns customer service representatives requested for your individual case. Ask the post office for a tracking number on the packet so you can be sure that it arrived safely.
Confirm account closure
Once your document packet arrives at Acorns, a customer service representative will contact you for final confirmation of the account closure. All holdings will be liquidated according to your letter of instruction and funds sent to the designated account. At this point, the account will be formally closed.
How to Close Your Own Acorns Account
If you would rather get a jump on tidying up your affairs and your digital afterlife, you may want to close down or consolidate accounts. Closing your account is far simpler if you do it yourself rather than give it to a relative to do after you pass away.
By taking care of matters now, you reduce the amount of work for an executor later on and you make sure there are no loose ends where your affairs are concerned.
Sign in
Since you have an account, your first step is to sign in. Once you’re signed in, the entire account closing process should take only a few minutes.
Liquidate account
Before you can cancel the account, you’ll need to liquidate all assets currently held in Acorns. Acorns will guide you through the process and ask you a series of questions to confirm the liquidation of your account. All funds will be transferred to a bank account linked to Acorns.
Access subscription center
Once you’ve signed in, find the “settings” tab. Click this tab. Next, scroll down to the option that says, “subscription center.” Click this button.
Cancel account
At this point, you’ll see an option that says, “Close my account.” As long as all of your assets have been liquidated, you can choose this option. Click it, and you’ll see a confirmation screen pop up.
If you haven’t liquidated funds in your account, you’ll be asked to do so. Click “yes” to liquidate and send all funds to your linked funding account. Funds will go to the account and the account closed within three to six business days.
Update personal records
Once you close your account, it’s essential to update personal records and files to reflect the most up-to-date situation. Make a note of which accounts have been closed or remove them entirely from your secure files or password manager.
Frequently Asked Questions: Closing an Acorns Account
Thinking of closing your account? Here are a few FAQs before you get started.
What happens when you close an Acorns account?
When you close an account, any pending transactions will be canceled. If transactions are processing, account closure cannot occur until they have been completed. Unless stated otherwise, any remaining funds will be deposited back into your linked and primary funding account.
How do you withdraw or transfer money, then close an Acorns account?
All assets in your Acorns account will be transferred to a verified checking account that you’ve linked to Acorns. Once all funds have been transferred, you can then continue with the steps in this article and successfully close your account.
Taking Care of Business
Closing accounts may feel like tedious work, but it’s an important part of your role as an executor or as someone wanting to make life easier on your loved ones. Thankfully, with just a couple of steps and a few pieces of paperwork, you can check this item off your to-do list.
Sources:
- “How do I close my Acorns account?” Support, Acorns, 2020. acorns.com/support/signing-up/how-do-i-close-my-acorns-account-/