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Settling an estate

Whether the estate is big or small, we're here to help you navigate the estate settlement process.

Schedule a call to make an appointment.

Making your job easier

Settling an estate, referred to legally in Quebec as liquidating a succession, is a big responsibility. Our team of advisors is trained to support you every step of the way. We can help you:

  • Get basic information on how to settle an estate
  • Open an estate account
  • Inform other Desjardins stakeholders of the death
  • Close the deceased person's accounts (such as chequing, savings or investment accounts)
  • Get started with estate settlement tasks like gathering documents, settling debts, transferring funds, submitting insurance claims or performing searches

Expertise you can count on

We can guide you through each step in the estate settlement process via:

  • The wealth management advisors at your caisse, who support you in your role as executor
  • Estate Assistance, which provides access to legal advice for Desjardins members
  • Desjardins Private Wealth Management trust services, which provide comprehensive management services for more complex estates

Your role as executor

Settling an estate takes a lot of work. The main task of the executor, referred to legally as the liquidator in Quebec, is to carry out the deceased person's last wishes.

You have a choice

You can refuse to be the executor of an estate if, for personal reasons, you don't feel that you can carry out the tasks and responsibilities required of you. You can also choose to entrust the task to a trust services company, like Desjardins Private Wealth Management.

The executor's to-do list

Do a will search

Only the deceased's last will has legal value. You'll need to check to see whether the deceased had one. You can search all registered wills in the Registre des dispositions testamentaires et des mandats (register of wills and mandates) through:

  • The Barreau du Québec
  • The Chambre des notaires du Québec

Holograph will

Holograph wills (wills handwritten by the deceased without witnesses) and wills made before witnesses must be verified by the Superior Court of Quebec or a notary.

No will

If the deceased didn't have a will, the estate is distributed according to the law.

Gather documents

As the executor, you'll need to get the following:

  • Death certificate or copy of the act of death from the Directeur de l'état civil
  • Marriage or civil union contract, if applicable
  • Will

Open an estate account

You'll need to open an account in the name of the estate. Most financial institutions will require you to provide the following:

  • Copy of the act of death issued by the Directeur de l'état civil
  • Notarial will or testamentary provision, verified holograph will, verified will made in the presence of witnesses or declaration of heredity
  • Will search certificates

Notify the government and service providers

You'll need to notify the government and the deceased's service providers to:

  • Close the deceased's accounts (hydro, phone and internet, bank, etc.) and cancel their ID and cards (driver's licence, credit cards, etc.)
  • Stop the payment of any benefits to the deceased
  • File a final tax return for the deceased

Prepare an inventory of assets

You'll need to prepare an inventory or list of all the deceased's assets and liabilities. Once the inventory is complete, you'll need to determine market values.

Collect money owed and settle debts

As the executor, you'll need to submit claims for any life insurance or other benefits.

You must also settle all of the deceased's and the estate's debts.

To see if the deceased had life insurance with us, call us at 1-866-838-7661 This link opens your phone app..

Publish notices

Three notices must be published as part of the estate settlement process. The forms are available on the Registre des droits personnels et réels mobiliers website External link. (site in French only):

  • Avis de désignation du liquidateur de la succession (notice of designation of the liquidator)
  • Avis de clôture d'inventaire (notice of closure of the inventory)
  • Avis de clôture du compte du liquidateur (notice of closure of the liquidator's account)

Helpful links

The websites below provide helpful information about the forms that need to be completed when someone dies.

Make an appointment

By phone

Montreal area:
514-224-7737 This link opens your phone app (514-CAISSES)

Elsewhere in Canada and the US:
1-800-224-7737 This link opens your phone app (1-800-CAISSES)

Or have us call you when it's convenient.

Schedule a call to make an appointment.