- Notify both Equifax and TransUnion to help avoid fraudulent credit checks in the deceased's name.
- Inform banks and financial institutions as part of the executor's finance steps.
- Estate trustees pay debts from the estate before distributing what remains.
- A death certificate is usually needed, and orders have fees and wait times.
After a death, cards are still active, subscriptions keep renewing and automatic payments keep leaving the account. Some of these are small nuisances. Others, such as a credit file left open, can invite identity fraud.
This article walks through the sensible order for closing accounts as an estate trustee in Ontario. The steps for each company vary, so expect each one to have its own process. A lawyer can advise if debts exceed what the estate holds or if you are unsure about your authority.
Start by gathering the documents you will need
Most companies ask for proof of death and proof of your authority to act. A death must be registered before a death certificate can be issued, and anyone can apply for a death certificate. Ontario lists the regular online death certificate at $15 and the premium online at $45, with regular online taking 15 business days plus delivery and premium taking 5 business days. Registration itself can take up to 12 weeks. Fees and timing can change, so check the current figures.
A certified copy of death registration is available only to next of kin or an authorized representative with proof of authorization. Companies may ask for the version that suits their own rules, so ask each one what it needs before ordering.
- Several copies of the death certificate.
- The will, and the court document confirming your appointment if you have one.
- Your own photo identification.
- A list of cards, accounts and subscriptions found in statements, emails and mail.
Notify the credit bureaus and financial institutions
Canada.ca tells the person handling the deceased's affairs to notify both Equifax and TransUnion to help avoid fraudulent credit checks in the deceased's name. Do this early, because a stolen identity can be used to open credit while the estate is being sorted out.
Ontario's list of executor finance steps includes informing banks and financial institutions. When you contact each card issuer or lender, ask them to:
- Note the death on the account and stop new charges.
- Provide a statement showing the balance as of the date of death.
- Explain what they need to deal with the account, including any rewards points or credit balances.
- Confirm in writing that the account is closed or frozen.
Avoid paying a card balance from your own money. Keep personal and estate finances separate, and ask a lawyer before paying a debt you are unsure about.
How debts are handled
An estate trustee's duties include collecting assets and paying taxes, bills and other debts, then distributing the residue to those entitled. Under a will, distribution follows the liquidation of assets and payment of funeral and burial expenses and any debts. That is why closing the cards and getting accurate balances matters: you need the full list of what the estate owes before anyone receives a share.
Whether a particular family member is personally responsible for a card, such as a joint holder or guarantor, depends on the account agreement and the facts. Do not assume either way. If a balance seems larger than the estate can pay, speak with a lawyer before paying creditors or distributing assets.
Stopping automatic payments and subscriptions
Go through several months of bank and card statements and list every recurring charge. Typical examples are streaming services, phone and internet plans, gym memberships, software, insurance premiums and charitable donations. Contact each provider, give notice of the death and ask for cancellation and any refund for unused time.
Some items need a decision rather than a quick cancellation. Insurance, for example, may need to continue while the home is empty, and a phone or email account may be needed to receive messages for a while. Check before cancelling anything that protects an asset.
| Item | General approach |
|---|---|
| Credit cards and lines of credit | Notify the issuer, request the date-of-death balance and confirm closure; also notify the credit bureaus. |
| Streaming, apps and memberships | Cancel directly with each provider and request any refund. |
| Bank pre-authorized payments | Tell the bank, which is part of informing financial institutions. |
| Government-issued items | Handle them separately, as explained below. |
Government items that are easy to forget
Several non-card items also need attention. An accessible parking permit must be returned to ServiceOntario within 30 days, and a refund of a driver's licence fee can be requested with the death certificate. If the deceased paid child or spousal support, contact the Family Responsibility Office. A valid passport should be returned to the Passport Program with a copy of the death certificate. Notify Service Canada as soon as possible to stop CPP and OAS payments.
What to do next
- Order death certificates and gather proof of your authority.
- Notify Equifax and TransUnion.
- Contact each bank and card issuer and ask for date-of-death balances.
- List and cancel recurring charges from the past few months of statements.
- Handle government items, including the parking permit and passport.
- Keep a running list of debts and see a lawyer if they may exceed the estate's assets.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to notify the credit bureaus?
Canada.ca tells the person handling the affairs to notify both Equifax and TransUnion to help avoid fraudulent credit checks in the deceased's name. It is a simple step that helps protect the deceased's identity.
Do I have to pay the credit card balance myself?
Generally the estate's debts are paid from the estate's assets before the residue is distributed. Whether you could be personally responsible, for example as a joint holder, depends on the account terms. Ask a lawyer if you are unsure.
How long does it take to get a death certificate?
Ontario lists regular online orders at 15 business days plus delivery and premium online orders at 5 business days. Registration of the death can take up to 12 weeks. These times can change, so check the current information.
What about the deceased's passport and parking permit?
A valid passport should be returned to the Passport Program with a copy of the death certificate. An accessible parking permit must be returned to ServiceOntario within 30 days.
Sources
- Ontario.ca – Administering estates — ontario.ca
- Canada.ca – Cancel CPP and OAS benefits after a death — canada.ca
- Canada.ca – What to do when someone dies — canada.ca
- Ontario.ca – What to do when someone dies — ontario.ca
- Ontario.ca – Get or replace an Ontario death certificate — ontario.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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