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Estate settlement

We’re here to support you through the estates journey at CIBC.

Booking a meeting is an important first step to take in the estate settlement process.

Book a meeting

Already started the estate process? Please contact your Banking Centre Representative – Find a CIBC Banking Centre Opens in a new window.

First meeting checklist

When you meet with us, bring this:

A valid form of identification, like a driver’s licence or passport
Information about the co-executors, including their name, address and phone number
- If there’s more than 1 executor, make sure that all executors are at the first meeting with their information
Information about the deceased, including their name, address, phone number, date of birth and date of death

Bring these documents:

An original or notarial copy of proof of death. A proof of death can be one of the following:
- An act of death (in Quebec)
- 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 a will)
The original or notarial copy of the probated will (if the deceased had a probated will)
Any bills or invoices related to funeral expenses or estate properties, like electricity, water or gas bills

Executor

What's an executor?

An executor 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 executors are named in the will. Depending on the province, an executor is also known as:

An estate trustee
An estate representative
A liquidator

The responsibilities of an executor 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 the will (if they had a will) or according to local estate laws.
Keep track of the financial transactions for the estate, like bills related to properties or funeral expenses. An executor 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?

In provinces other than Quebec, probate is the process of getting the court’s confirmation that the will is valid and confirm the executor’s authority to settle the estate.

How does probate protect me?

Probate protects the executor. 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.

How is probate different in Quebec?

Probate is less common in Quebec, where notarial wills are used most often. Only handwritten wills and wills made in the presence of witnesses must be probated by the court.

The estate settlement process

Make immediate arrangements

Make funeral arrangements and locate the will.

Contact the bank

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

Get probate

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

Manage the estate

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

More information

Executor guide

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

Executor guide (PDF, 925 KB) Opens in a new window.

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CIBC Executor Checklist

This checklist walks you through important information and documents required to settle the estate.

CIBC Executor Checklist (PDF, 55 KB) Opens in a new window.

Are you settling an estate in Quebec?

Quebec has different steps to settle an estate.

Learn moreabout settling an estate in Quebec. Opens a new window in your browser.

More information about estate settlement

How do I contact the CIBC estate department?

What’s proof of authority in Quebec?

CIBC Trust as agent for executor

Need to talk?

Get in touch. We’re here to help.

Meet with us

Find a branch

Estate settlement

Already started the estate process? Please contact your Banking Centre Representative – Find a CIBC Banking Centre Opens in a new window.

First meeting checklist

When you meet with us, bring this:

Bring these documents:

Executor

What's an executor?

The responsibilities of an executor are to:

Immediate expenses

Probate

What’s probate?

How does probate protect me?

How is probate different in Quebec?

The estate settlement process

Make immediate arrangements

Contact the bank

Get probate

Manage the estate

More information

Executor guide

CIBC Executor Checklist

Are you settling an estate in Quebec?

More information about estate settlement

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

Canada Revenue Agency

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories Justice: Questions and answers about wills in the Northwest Territories (PDF, 45 KB)Opens a new window in your browser

Nova Scotia

Nunavut

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskatchewan

Yukon

Need to talk?