Executor
When you are appointed Executor to a relative or a friend, the duties that go along with being an Executor will vary depending on the complexity of the estate.
They have placed their trust in you to fulfill their wishes regardless of how demanding or onerous the task.
The following are some of the basic duties that may be required of the Executor of a Will.
Funeral Arrangements
One of the first duties an Executor must do is assist in or make funeral arrangements. The Executor will require a copy of the will or consult with the lawyer who prepared it to determine whether there were any specific funeral instructions.
These instructions are not binding, but it would be highly unusual for an Executor to deviate from their intent unless there were unforeseen problems or extended circumstances that would make the last will impossible to follow through with.
Even though the Executor has the ultimate authority to make all the decisions, it would be prudent to consult with the immediate family where possible when making the arrangements, especially if the executor is not a member of the family.
Proof of Death
The most important document to be completed is the Death Certificate. In order to assist in its completion, the Executor should include the full name, birthplace, place of residence and occupation of the deceased, the deceased's father's name and birthplace, mother's maiden name and birthplace and name of the surviving spouse, if applicable.
The Executor must get a registered copy of the Death Certificate from the Department of Vital Statistics or a Funeral Director's Certificate of Death, issued by the funeral home, verifying proof of death. This document is very important and is required by many insurance companies, financial institutions and government agencies in matters pertaining to the settlement of the estate.
Death and Survivor Benefits
If, for example, the deceased worked, was a veteran or member of a fraternal organization, had purchased insurance, or died as the result of an accident, there may be death or survivor benefits available.
The executor must determine whether the deceased's estate or survivors are entitled to any of these or other benefits and then make application to access them.
In some cases, a copy of the funeral service invoice must accompany the application.
Items to Cancel
The Executor must ensure the estate does not incur any unnecessary expenses.
The following is a list of items, which the Executor should cancel right away and request refunds, if applicable.
- Driver's license
- Magazine and newspaper subscriptions
- Cable television
- Club memberships
- Telephone
- Health Insurance coverage
- If the deceased lived alone in a rental property, the lease agreement
- Credit cards
- Old Age Security
- Canada Pension
- Mail Service
The Executor may also choose to contact Canada Post to request that the deceased's mail be rerouted to a more convenient address.
The Canadian Direct Marketing Association (CDMA) offers a free consumer service called The Do Not Mail/Do Not Call Service which allows people to stop receiving unwanted offers of goods and services by mail or telephone.
The Executor can register the name of the deceased with the service by completing and mailing a registration form to the CDMA.
Some funeral homes have copies of the registration form available for the public, while others will actually complete and mail it on behalf of the family.