The following estate management list was created to assist you in managing the affairs of deceased individual. It is imperative that you start working through this list as soon as possible as some of the procedures you will request will take time for the various organisations contacted to process.   

In addition, asking for early help from reputable professionals such as notary and an accountant will also prove useful and ease the burden of losing someone dear to you.

Note: This information and related contacts are indicative only and subject to change without prior notice.

1. Ensure you have a copy of the deceased’s will and contact a notary to start a will search
2. Cancel government benefits:
   • Quebec Pension;
   • Federal Old Age Security; and
   • Other benefits that may be applicable, such as: Veterans, Union benefits, Foreign pensions, etc.
3. Apply for government survivor’s benefits if applicable
4. Gather all the deceased’s income tax information for easy reference when the time comes to prepare tax returns
5. Medicare card: cancelled upon registration of death
6. Social insurance card: if not provided to the funeral home, it should be sent to the following address with a copy of death certificate:
   Social Insurance Registration
   P.O. Box 7000
   Bathurst, NB E2A 4T1

7. Driver’s license and registration: if not provided to the funeral home, the license should be cancelled. If applicable, the SAAQ will issue a refund by mail or at a counter. You will require:
   • Deceased’s driver’s license or name, address, date of birth, and SIN
   • Copy of death certificate

8. Passport: a valid passport should be returned to Passport Canada for cancellation Include a copy of the death certificate and a letter indicating whether the passport should be destroyed or returned to you:
   Passport Canada
   Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
   Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0G3

9. Nexus: to cancel a Nexus card upon death contact:
   Montreal Office – Pierre Elliott Trudeau Int’l Airport: 514-633-3203 or
   [email protected]
10. Mail: a liquidator may redirect mail through Canada Post. You will need to provide the death certificate and a copy of the will
11. Cancel any private and/or group medical insurance
12. Cancel credit cards and check for credit card insurance
13. Cancel subscriptions, associations, club memberships
14. Cancel contracts such as residential lease, cell phone, car lease, CAA, medical alert device, etc.
15. Close all social media accounts
16. Transfer contracts and/or cancel utilities, i.e., cellphone, utilities, residential insurance, alarm companies
17. Redirect preauthorized bank accounts and credit card payments to a different account
18. Retrieve contents of safety deposit box
19. Life insurance policies: gather details of any policies held at death and submit request for policy payments

If you have questions about any of the above or would like to discuss estate planning or the relevance and operation of a trust for your family, please do not hesitate to contact one of our specialists.