Determine Estate Type

Jointly owned securities

If the securities are jointly owned, there will be more than one person’s name on the certificate or share ownership statement (e.g. John Smith and Mary Smith). If this applies to you, please read more about joint accounts.

Québec estates

If the deceased person was a resident of Québec at the time of death, there are slightly different rules, regardless of whether it is a “probated estate” or “non-probated estate." If this applies to you, please read more about Québec estates.

Probated estates

A probated estate means that you have a document issued by the court naming the people who are authorized to deal with the deceased person’s assets.

If the deceased person left a will, then the people authorized will be the executors or trustees named in the will. If the person did not leave a will, the people authorized will be the administrators appointed by the court.

To determine if you have one of the documents mentioned above, here are some of the names they may have:

Certificate of Appointment as Estate Trustee
Letters Probate
Letters of Administration
Letters Testamentary

If you are dealing with a probated estate, please read more about probated estates.

Non-probated estates

A non-probated estate means that you don’t have a document issued by the court and naming the people who are authorized to deal with the deceased person’s assets. You may have a will, but it needs to be confirmed by the court before it becomes a probated estate.

If you are dealing with a non-probated estate, please read more about non-probated estates.

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