Deceased Estates: Before you Notify
Proof of death
When someone passes away you will need to provide us with a copy of the ‘Proof of death’. This formally notifies the Bank, and allows us to start the process of finalising the Estate. We may also be able to assist you with paying for the costs for the funeral or memorial (See Step 3).
Proof of death includes any one of these documents:
- Death Certificate
- Doctor’s Medical Certificate
- Funeral Bill
- Solicitor’s or Coroner’s Letter
- Grant of Probate
- Letters of Administration
You should also start gathering the following documents
- Documents which include the full name of the deceased customer, as well as ‘known as’ name, and details of one account number they held, if possible (even if there are multiple accounts)
- A certified copy of the will, if applicable
- Your proof of identification
Summary of requirements to finalise an Estate |
||
Total value of accounts held at Westpac |
Requirements |
How |
|---|---|---|
| Under $100,000 | Death Certificate Completed and Signed Notification of Death, Funds Distribution & Indemnity Form (PDF 100KB) If applicable:
|
Finalising the estate can be initiated in the branch and our branch will forward the documents you have supplied, along with the indemnity form to our Estates Management team. From there, the Estates Management team will begin the notification process and you will receive some correspondence on what the next steps are. In cases where there is no Will, Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration, we will accept a statutory declaration if it is signed by all Next of Kin if required. |
| Equal to or over 100,000 | Death Certificate Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration Completed and Signed Notification of Death, Funds Distribution & Indemnity Form (PDF 100KB) If applicable:
|
Finalising the estate can be initiated in the branch and our branch will forward the documents you have supplied, along with the indemnity form to our Estates Management team. From there, the Estates Management team will begin the notification process and you will receive some correspondence on what the next steps are. This form must be signed by the listed Executor or Administrator. |