When you want your IRA transferred (in whole or in part) to another Custodian, use Custodian-to-Custodian transfers so that you don't have access to the funds. Make arrangements with the new Custodian to obtain the funds from the old Custodian. Most will do this at no cost to you. Direct rollovers would allow you to use the IRA funds for a 59 day period, but the 60 days will not be waived and you must have the ability to re-deposit the funds into your new IRA before the 60 days are up. This is sometimes difficult to do if you have used some or all of the funds. If you have only used half of the funds, put the other half in the new IRA and pay the income tax and penalty, if any, on the half used. The Custodian-to-Custodian transfers are really the only way to protect yourself.