Are you managing the settlement of an estate?

Initial call checklist

Make sure you have the following items before the first call:

  1. Information about the deceased, including their name, address, phone number, date of birth and date of death
  2. A valid form of identification, like a driver’s licence or passport for the estate representative(s)
  3. Information about the co-estate representative(s), including their name, address and phone number
  4. Make sure that all estate representative(s) call in to provide their information for setup

An original or notarial copy of proof of death. A proof of death can be one of the following:

  • A death certificate
  • A funeral director’s Statement of Death
  • A physician’s Statement of Death
  • A declaratory judgment of death by a court
  • The original or notarial copy of the last will if the deceased had one
  • The original or notarial copy of the probated will if the deceased had one
  • Any bills or invoices related to funeral expenses or estate properties, like electricity, water or gas bills

Simplii Financial
PO Box 603, Station Agincourt
Scarborough, Ontario
M1S 5K9

Attention: Simplii Financial
305 Milner Avenue, 5th Floor
Scarborough, Ontario
M1B 3V4

Estate representative

What's an estate representative?

An estate representative is the person named by the deceased in the will to settle an estate. An estate can include assets like properties, bank accounts and personal possessions.

Sometimes, multiple estate representatives are named in the will. Depending on the province, an estate representative is also known as:

  • An estate trustee
  • An executor
  • A liquidator

The responsibilities of an estate representative are to:

  • Let others know about the death. This includes all financial institutions that hold any of the deceased’s assets and service providers like telephone services.
  • Carry out the deceased’s wishes as outlined in their will if they had one or according to local estate laws.
  • Keep track of the financial transactions for the estate, like bills related to properties or funeral expenses. An estate representative will also manage the deceased’s investments, real estate, personal items, business interests and creditors’ claims.
  • Settle all debts, taxes and liabilities before distributing the assets.
  • Communicate with the beneficiaries and distribute the assets.
  • File tax returns for the deceased and the estate.

Immediate expenses

Expenses that you may have to pay for right away could be:

  • Funeral Costs
  • Probate fees

There might be other bills or utilities that you have to pay.

Probate

What's probate?

Probate is the process of getting the court’s confirmation that the will is valid and confirm the estate representative’s authority to settle the estate.

How does probate protect me?

Probate protects the estate representative. If a claim is made later that the will is invalid, you may have to pay out of pocket for assets that you have distributed. If you have probate, it protects you against claims under a competing will.

Return to options

The estate settlement process


Make funeral arrangements and locate the will.


Let the financial institutions that hold any of the deceased’s assets know.


Probate confirms that a will is valid and protects you against a competing will.


Settle all debts, taxes and liabilities. Then, you can distribute the assets to the deceased’s beneficiaries.

More information


This guide can help you understand your role and responsibilities as the estate representative to settle an estate.

Estate guide (PDF, 205 KB) Opens in a new window.


This checklist can help you get on track with some of the estate representative’s principal tasks.

Estate representative checklist (PDF, 100 KB) Opens in a new window.

More information about estate settlement

Have questions?

Monday to Friday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET

CDIC deposit protection badge. Opens in a new window.


CDIC Deposit Insurance Information Opens in a new window.