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FAQ: Custodial Navigation

Looking to invest in the future of the child or children in your life? Stash offers a type of investment account geared specifically towards children. This is called a Custodial account. You may open a custodial account for any child under the age of majority in your state.

Minors who hold a green card or visa and are not U.S. citizens can receive money from a Custodial Account.

The Stash+ plan includes up to ten (10) Custodial accounts, and minors can have multiple Custodial portfolios opened in their name. You do not have to be related to the minor to open a Custodial account for them. You will need to know their name, date of birth, and social security number.

“Kids Portfolio” is a custodial UGMA / UTMA account. Money in a custodial account is the property of the minor. This type of account is a Non-Discretionary Managed account.

How do I open a Stash Custodial account?
  1. Go to this link, log in, and select Get started.
  2. Continue to follow the on-screen prompts to complete the account setup.
How do I add funds to a Stash Custodial account?

Make a one-time deposit to a custodial account:

  1. Use this link to begin a transfer.
  2. Enter the dollar amount you would like to transfer.
  3. Select your desired source of funds as the “From” account.
  4. Select the Custodial account as the “To” account.
  5. Verify the transfer details and click the Transfer button to initiate the transfer.

Transfers made before 3:30 p.m. ET are generally available to invest using Portfolio Cash within minutes. Transfers made after this time will process on the next available business day.

How do I purchase an investment for a Stash Custodial account?
In the app:
  1. Decide what investment you would like to purchase.
  2. Tap into the investment and tap the blue Invest button.
  3. Enter the amount you wish to invest.
  4. Select your desired source of funds as the “From” account.
    1. The Portfolio Cash represents the funds in the Custodial account that are not invested.
  5. Select the Custodial account as the “To” account.
  6. Verify the details and tap the Invest button to initiate the investment.

Note: If you would like to make this a recurring investment, use this article to learn more about managing your Auto-Stash settings.

On the web:
  1. Decide what investment you would like to purchase.
  2. Click on the investment and click the blue Invest button.
  3. Choose your desired source of funds for this investment.
    1. Your Portfolio Cash represents the funds in the Custodial account that are not invested.
  4. Select your Custodial Account as the location for your investment.
  5. Enter the amount you wish to invest and click the blue Continue button.
  6. Verify the details and click Confirm to initiate the investment.

Note: If you would like to make this a recurring investment, use this article to learn more about managing your Auto-Stash settings.

How do I sell the investment(s) in a Stash Custodial account?
  1. Select the My Stash tab.
  2. Scroll down to the “Accounts” section and select the Custodial Account.
  3. Scroll down to the “Top Holdings” section and select View all investments.
  4. Select the investment you would like to sell.
  5. Tap the Sell button.
  6. Enter the dollar amount that you would like to sell and click Sell. Follow the prompts to confirm the sale.
    1. You must complete this process for each investment you wish to sell.
  7. These funds will be available on the next business day. Note that if you have purchased this investment within the last week, there may be additional delays.
    1. To transfer available funds, see the How do I use the money in a Custodial account for an expense that benefits the minor? section of this guide.
How do I turn on or edit the Auto-Stash contributions for a Stash Custodial account?

Use this link for detailed guidance for everything Auto-Stash! This will walk you through how to set or edit your Auto-Stash amount and frequency.

How do I use the money in a Custodial account for an expense that benefits the minor?
How do I know whether something I would like to use the money for qualifies as benefiting the minor?

As the custodian, you can withdraw money from a custodial account if you need to use it to pay for something that will benefit the minor. You can’t take the money back yourself or give it to someone else.

Some examples of uses that benefit a child include:

  • Educational expenses (including school uniforms)
  • Daycare
  • Activities or lessons (music classes, swimming lessons etc.)

If you’re not sure whether something you would like to use the money for qualifies as benefiting the minor, a financial advisor can help you answer the question.

Initiate a withdrawal:
  1. Link your external bank account if you haven’t already.
  2. Before making a withdrawal from a Custodial account, you may need to sell some investments to free up funds.
    1. Check out the How do I sell the investment(s) in a Stash Custodial account? section of this article.
  3. Once funds have settled, Please give us a call at 800-205-5164 from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET Monday-Friday, or email us at support@stash.com to begin the process.

If you are looking to transfer the investments directly to another custodial UGMA / UTMA account with another broker, you will have to initiate an ACAT transfer from the other brokerage. Use this link for specific details about ACAT transfers from Stash to a different account.

How do I close a Stash Custodial account? How do I transfer the account once the owner reaches the age of majority?

When the minor reaches the age of majority, all of the money in the Custodial account becomes their property. The account may be locked, and the custodian will no longer have access to or control over these funds.

Note that the age of majority is determined by the laws of the state where the account was opened, which may be different from where the owner lives.

To complete the process:

  1. The beneficiary of the custodial account must open a Stash account in their name.
  2. Then, please give us a call at 800-205-5164 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or email us at support@stash.com.
  3. Once the funds are transferred into the beneficiary’s account, they can continue to manage their money in Stash, or they can transfer the funds elsewhere.

When the funds transfer to the minor, they can continue managing the investments themself, or withdraw the funds.

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(800) 205-5164

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