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What happens to my 529 plan if I die or become incapacitated?
Your 529 account will not terminate; it will simply continue under a new account owner. When you establish a 529 account, the application will invite you to name a successor owner. We recommend that you make this designation, as it will allow ownership of the account to be transferred easily and automatically to your named successor. If you do not designate a successor, the new account owner may have to be decided through probate. Some 529 plans have rules of succession to determine the successor owner in the event you have not named someone.
You should realize that a successor owner assumes all the rights of the original owner, including the right to request a refund. You must have confidence that the person you name as successor will fulfill your desires for the use of the 529 account. If you have any concerns about this, speak with your attorney about the possibility of naming a trust as successor.
- How can I select the right 529 plan if I don’t know where my grandchildren will be attending college?
- What happens if I have money in a 529 account for a grandchild who later decides to not attend college?
- I would like to put some money towards my grandchildren’s college savings, but I’m worried about unplanned medical expenses or other financial needs I may have later on. Can I get my money back out of a 529 plan?
- Which investment option in the 529 plan should I choose for my grandchild?
- We have 16 grandchildren below college age. Should we set up a separate 529 account for each of them, or can we combine the savings into just one account?
- Instead of opening my own 529 accounts, can I just make contributions to the 529 accounts my children have already established for my grandchildren?
- How do Coverdell education savings accounts compare to 529 plans?
- If I ever need to go to a nursing home and apply for Medicaid benefits, will the 529 accounts I have set up for my grandchildren be counted as part of my assets?
- What happens to my 529 plan if I die or become incapacitated?
- Am I hurting my grandchild’s eligibility for financial aid by putting money into a 529 plan for him?
- My tax adviser is recommending 529 plans as an estate-planning vehicle. What is the advantage?
- I’ve been making direct gifts to my grandchild each year into a custodial account (UTMA) with the understanding that those funds are to be used for college. Is there anything wrong with this approach?
- My estate planner tells me I can reduce my estate by paying my grandchildren’s tuition and not even have to worry about the gift tax. So why should I use 529 plans?

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