After a death, the procedures fall into a few main groups. Knowing them helps you understand the order of things, even though the details vary from one estate to another.
Everything starts with the documents that prove the death and the person's identity: a certificate or copy of the death record issued by the Directeur de l'état civil, and often proof of your relationship to them. Most organizations will not act without these documents.
A search for wills confirms which will is the most recent. This determines who the liquidator is and who the heirs are. Next come the inventory of assets and debts, the payment of debts, and then the closing of the estate. Decisions to accept or refuse an estate should be made with a professional.
Certain amounts may be available depending on the situation: death benefits and pensions from Retraite Québec, federal programs from Service Canada, compensation from the CNESST, the SAAQ or the IVAC depending on the cause of death, and help with funeral costs in some cases. Nothing is automatic: each program has its own conditions and deadlines, listed on its official page.
The financial institution must be notified of the death. It will explain the measures that apply to accounts, investments, loans and pre-authorized payments based on the type of account and the estate's situation. An individual account may be handled differently than a joint account. Life insurance, loan insurance and employer group insurance may provide for payments to designated beneficiaries.
Lease, mortgage, municipal taxes, electricity, telephone, internet, home insurance: these contracts continue to exist after the death and must be transferred, modified or cancelled according to each provider's rules.
Income tax returns generally must be filed for the deceased person, both provincially and federally. Before distributing the assets to the heirs, the certificate authorizing the distribution of property is usually requested from Revenu Québec, along with a clearance certificate from the Canada Revenue Agency. This step should be confirmed with a professional.
Email, social networks, cloud storage, paid subscriptions, content platforms: each service has its own procedure. This is almost never urgent, but it avoids ongoing charges and accounts being left open.
There is no single list that applies to everyone. The presence of a spouse, minor children, a property, a business, debts or assets outside Québec changes a great deal, as does whether or not there is a will. The deadlines and obligations indicated by official organizations always take precedence over general information like this.
To find out what each procedure concretely requires, consult the guide to documents to prepare and the list of organizations to notify.
PASSARA brings these procedures together into a personalized journey and shows you only the next actions to take, one at a time.
Organize my next stepsContent last checked: September 19, 2026. Official information can change: always consult the official sources linked on this page.
PASSARA provides general information and does not replace the advice of a notary, lawyer, tax specialist or other qualified professional.
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