Does a beneficiary designation override my will?
Often, yes — but not because one document outranks the other. Accounts with a valid beneficiary designation or transfer-on-death registration commonly pass under that account, plan, policy or registration, outside the will. A will generally governs only what becomes part of the probate estate.
There are important exceptions. Many employer retirement plans give a spouse federal rights that a form or a will cannot remove without the spouse's written consent, and if a designation is missing, invalid or the beneficiary died first, the account's default rules decide — sometimes sending it to the estate and back under the will.
The actual outcome for any asset depends on its governing documents and applicable law. An estate-planning attorney confirms the legal result; the custodian, insurer or plan administrator confirms how the account will pay.
Reviewed by Bay Area Wealth Advisors. Last reviewed 2026-09-27. Educational information only — not individualized financial, tax or legal advice.