Locate and review the will

Determine if the will provides care for pets and if not make arrangements

Help with funeral arrangements

Obtain the statement of death from the funeral director or apply for provincial death certificate

Consider getting executors insurance

Meet with family members and other beneficiaries (consider having an estate lawyer attend)

Determine cash requirements for family and other beneficiaries

Discuss realistic timing of tax issues, litigation concerns, and bequest payments

Keep all beneficiaries updated of progress

List important deadlines such as filing the tax return or when to make dependant relief claims

Make a list of bank accounts and passwords for electronic banking

Locate titles for real estate, mortgages, bonds, share certificates, debentures, and guaranteed certificates

List contents of safety deposit box

Freeze accounts and establish an estate account

Contact advisors/financial planners and request account information

Contact insurance companies and get policy details

Contact any investment firms and banks and obtain original cost information, cancel any open orders and redirect any statements to the appropriate address.

Review the investment portfolio and make changes as needed

Contact landlord and terminate lease or arrange to sublet if the deceased rented their residence

Insure that property tax payments are up to date

Insure the safety of the real estate if vacant

Contact tenants of any rental properties in order to redirect rent

Review property and vehicle insurance and make changes as necessary

Create a list of digital accounts and passwords, if you cannot find these contact the websites administrators

Determine the value of any digital assets and if they can be transferred

If liabilities exist, create a copy of the information and close the digital accounts as necessary

Determine if a legal will exists and conforms to a foreign jurisdiction

Determine legislation if no valid will exists

Hire and agent that has the appropriate expertise in the foreign jurisdiction

Make a list of cash on hand, jewellery, and any other valuables from their home or business

Determine whether any assets are missing

Obtain security of any assets and determine the value using an appraiser when appropriate

Ensure that business operations can continue if the deceased was the sole or controlling shareholder

Collect any outstanding cheques

Determine all liabilities outstanding at death and any accruing interest on debt after the date of death, then decide what debts can be paid to save in interest

Determine if there are any matters that need to be litigated on behalf of the estate or what legal liability exists for any outstanding lawsuits

Determine any personal guarantees made by the deceased on loans

Prepare a newspaper ad for the Notice to Creditors, keep in mind that the expiry date must not predate the issuance of certificate or probate obtained from court

Create a formal inventory of assets and liabilities by class detailing values, certificate numbers, registration details, accrued interest, maturity dates, etc.

Provide information regarding foreign assets; however, do no list for probate

Arrange Canada Post to reroute mail to the appropriate address

Notify Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan, Death Benefits, Survivor Benefits or Veterans Affairs and make the appropriate claims

If the deceased received a pension from a foreign jurisdiction, notify the appropriate parties, cancel entitlement, and make a claim for death benefit

Notify Service Canada and cancel the entitlements under the income security programs

Cancel credit cards and determine if any insurance exists that will cover the balances

Contact previous or present employers about benefits

Contact the executors or trustees of other estates where the deceased had entitlement or was named the executor

Contact any lawyer or accountant the deceased may have used

Notify the utility companies for final reading and billing

Cancel the deceased’s health insurance and driver’s license

Obtain copies of the deceased’s last 6 years if tax returns and records of any medical expenses, charitable receipts, or any tax deductible expenses.

Have a any T1 returns for previous years prepared and filed within six months of the date of death

Have a final T1 return filed by April 30th of the year following the death or 6 months from the date of death (whichever comes first) and request a clearance certificate

File U.S. tax return and all forms for disclosure purposes, if applicable

File HST and receive clearances if applicable

Determine where the last designation was made, such as a will policy application or forming contract, and confirm the institution recognizes the last designation filed

Determine if RRSP/RRIF and insurance assets are payable to a beneficiary or the estate, and for insurance whether there are any outstanding liabilities against the policy

File all documents necessary to make claims on behalf of beneficiaries

Retain and meet with estate lawyer to complete application for proper certificates

Obtain originals and sufficient notarial copies of final orders to transfer assets

Ask the estate lawyer to register certificate or probate on title for real estate if necessary

Pay any fees that may be applicable

Determine whether any factors restrict distribution such as family law or dependant relief claims

Request fees from solicitors, executors, and accountants

Keep sufficient funds as a reserve to pay any outstanding accounts even if the will provides for outright distribution

Contact beneficiaries regarding distributions

Develop a plan for distribution of assets after clearance certificate is issued, when necessary obtain releases to avoid any delays

Realize Assets

Prepare cheques to pay debts

Obtain transfer of cemetery deed

Deliver or sell personal effects

Confirm beneficiary approvals or releases have been sent back

Set up any testamentary trusts and arrange for ongoing review of investments and compliance terms of the trust

Distribute any remaining funds or deliver assets

Prepare final statements of accounts for approval by beneficiaries

Close estate bank account after confirming all cheques or electronic transfers have cleared

Ask estate lawyer to prepare releases or final approval form