Wills and Estates -> What to do when someone dies

What to do when someone dies

When a person dies, there are many tasks to be performed.

The Canada Benefits web site, which is produced by the Government of Canada, provides a great deal of help in dealing with the many tasks to be handled in the event of a death.  Go to the Dealing with death page of the Canada Benefits site.

When executor, liquidator, or administrator fees are being paid out of an estate, the estate must register as an employer with Canada Revenue Agency.  This is the responsibility of the executor.  All applicable income tax, Employment Insurance premiums and Canada Pension Plan contributions must be withheld from the payment.  This only applies if the executor, liquidator, or administrator does not act in this capacity in the regular course of business.

You should familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of the executor of an estate before accepting this position, or before dealing with any estate assets.

Canada Revenue Agency Resources:

For more information related to dealing with a death, see the following Provincial/Territorial websites:

Alberta

Dealing with death

 

British Columbia

About wills and estates

BC Public Guardian and Trustee

BC Vital Statistics Agency Fee Schedule

Wills Registry Search

Your Duties as Executor - Canadian Bar Association BC Branch

Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) Checklist for Estate Transfers (pdf) of vehicles - Joint ownership with right of survivorship (JWROS) provides the simplest method for transferring the vehicle after death, and reduces probate fees.

Manitoba

Family Law in Manitoba - Death in the family

Court of Queen's Bench Probate Division - Frequently asked questions

New Brunswick

Probate Court - Frequently asked questions

Newfoundland and Labrador

Supreme Court:

Frequently asked questions - Probate and administration

Wills, Estates and Guardianship

Northwest Territories

Probate, Administration and Guardianship Fees Regulations (pdf file)

Nova Scotia

Dealing with death

Ontario

What to do when someone dies

Québec

Wills

What to do in the event of a death

Prince Edward Island

InfoPEI - Death, dying and bereavement

Saskatchewan

Public Guardian and Trustee - Deceased estates

Court of Queen's Bench - Wills and estates

Making a will and administering an estate (pdf document)

Yukon

Public Administrator frequently asked questions

Revised: December 20, 2011