Bank Accounts
What is to be done with bank accounts after a death varies regionally and each institution may have it's own policies. In some regions, bank accounts are automatically frozen after a death. To avoid any complications, the bank should be notified immediately, and you should find out the procedures for releasing these funds, and how to set up a new account for funds received after the death. It’s recommended that a joint account stay open for at least six months to allow you to deposit any cheques that are made out to the deceased.
To take a name off a joint bank account, banks require an original Death Certificate, of which they will make a certified copy and return the original to you.
If the deceased had a safety deposit box in a bank, the contents can be sealed after death and the Death Certificate will be required to gain access to the contents.
FAMILY/EXECUTOR CHECKLIST
Provided by: The Government of Canada and The Province of British Columbia
(Click the link below to DOWNLOAD the checklist)