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Probate and estates links: Main page About the law Articles FAQs Fees Lawyers And... Other areas Reference links Search the site |
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As an executor or administrator, you're responsible for many details.
The first steps you need to take involve:
Funeral arrangements Housekeeping matters Financial accounts Expenses Searching for the will Searching the safety deposit box Inventory of assets and liabilities Pension and retirement benefits 
Funeral arrangements The deceased may have left instructions as to his preference as to disposition of the remains (cremation, burial, etc). This is binding upon the executor. If you instruct the funeral home, you're usually personally liable for the funeral expenses. However, such expenses normally form a first charge on the assets of the estate, and some financial institutions will allow these to be paid from the deceased's bank account even before probate has been granted. Top of Page Housekeeping matters You should confirm any properties or cars owned by the deceased are insured and secure. You may want to change the locks on the premises. Search for cash, securities, jewelry and other valuables, and arrange for safekeeping. Pay any rent or utilities owing, and give notice if necessary. Have mail redirected to your premises or your lawyer's office. Top of Page Financial accounts You should arrange to cancel all credit cards and bank cards, informing the financial institutions of the death. Check any mortgages or agreements for sale, and arrange for payment or deferral of payments. You should also request claim forms and written confirmation of benefits from any insurers. Top of Page Expenses Keep track of all expenses incurred in dealing with the estate, and save copies of receipts, so that you can be properly reimbursed later. These expenses should be reasonable and proper. Top of Page Searching for the will Make a diligent search for the deceased's will. If the will was prepared by a lawyer, there should be a wills notice filed with the department of Vital Statistics in Victoria, B.C., indicating where the will is located. A lawyer can check whether a wills notice was filed. Top of Page Searching the safety deposit box Search the safety deposit box for any wills, as well as to take an inventory of the assets. Bring the key, the death certificate, and some identification with you to the bank. A bank employee must be present while the safety deposit box is opened and the inventory listed. Carefully mark down serial numbers on securities, and whether any items have expiry dates. Normally the bank will not let you remove the contents, except for the will, until after probate has been granted, but if possible, take photocopies of items like share certificates. Top of Page Inventory of assets and liabilities Make an inventory of all of the deceased's assets and liabilities. Search her home, and look for bank statements, income tax returns, property tax bills, credit card bills, life insurance policies, and any other clues about any assets or liabilities the deceased may have had. Some of the deceased's assets may pass outside the estate. For example, properties or bank accounts held in joint tenancy do not pass through the estate. Life insurance and RRSPs with designated beneficiaries may go directly to those beneficiaries, and not form part of the deceased's estate. Top of Page Pension and retirement benefits Depending on the deceased's age, he may have been receiving Old Age Security or Canada Pension Plan benefits. You will need to notify these departments of the death, and in some cases, you may be able to apply for death benefits under these plans. |
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Legal disclaimer: The information provided on Lawyers-BC.Com is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues commonly encountered. Your access to and use of this Web site is subject to additional terms and conditions. This page last updated: August 18, 1999 © copyright 1999 Lawyers-BC.Com Services Ltd. |
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