As with any inactive account, once you or your loved one stops using a Robinhood account, it’s important to close it right away. Inactive accounts not only risk the danger of incurring fees without you realizing it, but they are prime targets for hackers to remove funds or commit fraudulent activity without getting noticed.
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Thankfully, closing a Robinhood account is a fairly simple and straightforward process. As long as you have the proper paperwork and required documentation, you should be able to complete the account closure in a few easy steps.
How to Close a Deceased Loved One’s Robinhood Account
If you’re an executor of an estate, canceling bank accounts and other financial accounts is just as critical as canceling credit cards after a death. Any account linked to a financial institution can be a prime target for hackers. Leave it open and untouched for a long time and that’s inviting trouble.
Follow these steps to successfully close down a loved one’s Robinhood account, distribute funds, and ensure no further trading activity occurs.
Step 1: Contact customer service
It’s always a good idea to contact customer service before you begin the process of account closure. Since rules and regulations may change at any time, it’s best to get the most up-to-date information possible regarding what documents are required, where they need to be sent, and how to effectively carry out your executor duties.
Step 2: Collect required documents
There are several documents you’ll need to have on hand to close your account. If you’re just starting the process of closing out a loved one’s estate, obtain several copies of all documents so you’ll be prepared when you need them.
Death certificate
This is one of the most important pieces of paperwork required to close accounts for your loved one. For all estate-related business, such as closing financial accounts, a certified copy of their death certificate is absolutely essential.
To obtain a certified copy, you can do so in one of two ways. You can apply through the mortuary or call the Office of Vital Records in the state where your loved one passed away. Each certified copy will be around $10 and you’ll need one copy for every major duty associated with your executorship.
Proof of executorship
This is the second-most important piece of paperwork required to carry out any of your duties. Financial institutions have to prove that you are who you say you are and proof of executorship is always required. These include official documents such as:
- A certified executorship
- A document specifying you are a personal representative of the estate
- Certified letters of testamentary
- Certified letters of administration
If your loved one’s estate is too small to go through probate, you may receive a Small Estate Affidavit instead. The affidavit is also enough proof to demonstrate that you are allowed to carry out executory duties such as closing accounts.
Executor’s proof of identity
You’ll need to provide proof of your identity as the executor with a copy of any of the following:
- Valid driver’s license
- Current US or foreign government passport
- Immigration card
- US military ID
If you wish to use proof other than these listed, ask customer service to provide you with other allowable alternatives.
Step 3: Write a letter of instruction
Write a letter of instruction specifying what Robinhood should do with the funds in your loved one’s accounts. Funds can be sent to a linked account, an outside account, or as a check to the account’s trust, a trustee, or beneficiary.
Step 4: Mail documentation and close account
Mail each of the required documents to Robinhood’s customer service office. Once received, a customer service representative will contact you for confirmation or questions and close out the account. All remaining funds will be liquidated according to your letter of instruction.
How to Close Your Own Robinhood Account
If you want to get a jump on tidying up your own digital afterlife, an excellent place to start is with financial accounts such as bank accounts, trading accounts, and credit cards. Though an executor can finalize your affairs, the process is far simpler when you do it yourself.
Step 1: Sign in to your account via app or computer
To begin the closure process, you’ll need to sign in and access your account from either your smartphone or a computer.
Step 2: Access your account settings
Either on the app or on your computer, access your account settings by selecting the account icon. From here, click on the “settings” option and finally, select “account information.”
At this point, you will be on the screen where you will see the option to deactivate your account.
Step 3: Deactivate your account
When closing your Robinhood account, the better term you should use is “deactivate.” You’ll indefinitely be able to access prior statements, tax documents, and other paperwork required for taxes and the like, so account closure is more of a deactivation, as opposed to a traditional closure.
After step two, you should be able to scroll and find the option to “deactivate account.” Clicking this option will allow you to stop any more activity from occurring in your Robinhood account and enable you to liquidate or transfer funds.
Step 4: Close positions and withdraw or transfer balance
Whether you’re on the app or the computer, at this point you’ll be directed to close all positions. The system will work you through each open trade until all of them are closed.
At this point, you can do one or two things: withdraw all funds or transfer your balance to another brokerage.
Withdraw funds
If you want to withdraw funds, you can simply select the “withdraw” option and specify where funds should be deposited. Funds will be withdrawn immediately and distributed to your selected bank or via check.
As soon as your balance reads $0.00, Robinhood will close your account and no further action is needed.
Transfer balance
If you want to transfer your account, choose this option, and specify where the account should be transferred. At this point, you will be asked to submit your transfer request. Once all accounts are successfully transferred, your account will be automatically closed and no further action is needed.
Step 5: Access account records
Even after you close your Robinhood account, your account records are accessible. You can still access items such as account statements, trade confirmations, and tax documents. Print out copies of these to include with your personal things so your future executor can find them when dealing with your estate.
Note: If you re-download the Robinhood app, this action does not reopen your account. You can access and view records, but no trading will occur.
Step 6: Update personal files
Once you close out your Robinhood account, you must update your files accordingly. Make a note of the account closure or remove all account information from places like your password manager. If you think your executor will need to access the account file, leave your password with a note that the account is closed but files accessible.
Keep Estates Up to Date
To avoid fees and potential fraudulent activity, always keep estate details up to date. Even if you’re living, it’s a good idea to tidy up your inactive accounts or consolidate accounts to make end-of-life matters easier on an executor down the line. Thankfully, the process is straightforward and only takes a short amount of time to complete.
Sources:
- “Close My Account.” General Questions, Robinhood, 2020. https://www.robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/close-my-account/