Inheriting a Brokerage Account — What Happens to Stocks After Death?
What happens to a brokerage account after the owner's death? Learn how inheriting stocks, ETFs, and bonds works in Poland — step by step.
8 min czytaniaWhat happens to a brokerage account after death?
A brokerage account — like a bank account — doesn't disappear after the owner's death. The assets held in the account (stocks, ETFs, bonds, cash) become part of the inheritance estate and are subject to inheritance according to the general rules of the Polish Civil Code.
In practice, this means your loved ones can take over the assets, but the process requires several formal steps.
How does the step-by-step procedure work?
1. Confirming inheritance rights
Heirs must obtain one of two documents:
- Court ruling on confirmation of inheritance — judicial route, takes from several weeks to several months.
- Notarial inheritance certificate — prepared by a notary, usually within one day. Cost is approximately 150–500 PLN.
2. Contacting the brokerage house
After obtaining the inheritance document, heirs contact the brokerage house with:
- death certificate,
- document confirming inheritance rights,
- identification documents of heirs.
3. Division or transfer of assets
The brokerage house blocks the account upon receiving information about the holder's death. After document verification, assets are:
- transferred to the heirs' brokerage accounts (each must have their own account),
- or liquidated and paid out if heirs so decide.
What about IKE and IKZE?
IKE and IKZE accounts have special rules:
- IKE — you can designate an authorized person (doesn't have to be an heir). Transfer to the authorized person is exempt from inheritance and gift tax. The authorized person can transfer funds to their own IKE.
- IKZE — similar rule, but withdrawal by the authorized person is subject to 10% flat income tax.
If no authorized person is designated, IKE/IKZE funds become part of the inheritance estate.
Inheritance tax — how much will you pay?
Immediate family (spouse, children, parents, siblings — so-called Group I) is exempt from inheritance tax, provided they report inheritance acquisition to the tax office within 6 months (SD-Z2 form).
More distant relatives and unrelated persons pay inheritance tax according to rates:
| Tax group | Tax-free amount | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| I (immediate family) | exemption | 0% |
| II (extended family) | 7,276 PLN | 7–12% |
| III (unrelated persons) | 4,902 PLN | 12–20% |
How to prepare during your lifetime?
You don't have to wait for the worst. Several steps that will make life easier for your loved ones:
- Designate authorized persons for IKE and IKZE — it's a simple form at the brokerage house.
- Write a list of accounts — banks, brokerage houses, crypto exchanges. Keep in a safe place.
- Consider a will — precisely specify who inherits what to avoid disputes.
- Inform your loved ones — tell a trusted person where you keep investments and how to access them.
Frequently asked questions
Can a brokerage house refuse to release funds?
No — after presenting proper inheritance documents, the brokerage house is obligated to execute the transfer or payout.
What about foreign stocks in a Polish broker account?
Foreign stocks are inherited under the same rules. However, there may be additional formalities related to tax in the issuer's country.
How long does the entire process take?
From 2 weeks (notarial certificate + fast broker) to several months (judicial route + complicated inheritance).
How can Freenance help?
Freenance gives you a complete picture of your wealth in one place — brokerage accounts, IKE, IKZE, cryptocurrencies, cash. Thanks to this:
- you have an organized list of all assets that you can share with loved ones,
- you track portfolio value in real time,
- you plan long-term with FIRE and Runway calculators.
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