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What documentation is required for a deceased estate?

To be able to finalise their accounts, we will need to receive documentation and instructions from the executor(s) or authorised administrator/next of kin(s) of the estate.

You can bring original documents to any bcu branch. Our staff are able to copy and certify the copies of original documents for the purposes of finalising the estate. 

Please find below a list of documents that may be required to finalise the estate. Understandably, you may not be able to access all of the below documents at once.

  • Death Certificate
  • Last Will and Testament
  • Grant of Probate may be required where the member has a Will and held more than our specified amount in deposit accounts at bcu. For your information the executor(s) must apply for the Probate.
  • Letters of Administration may be required if there is no valid Will and the Member held more than our specified amount in deposit accounts. Generally, it is the deceased’s spouse or next of kin that will apply for Letters of Administration.
  • Identification documents (if you are not an existing account holder of bcu).
  • Written instructions from the executor(s)/administrator for the finalising of deposit accounts.
  • A Next of Kin Claim, if there is no valid Will and the member held less than our specified amount in deposit accounts.

We may be able to pay the outstanding funeral account, as evidenced by a tax invoice from the funeral home. If sufficient funds are available, bcu will debit funds from the estate and pay the invoice amount to the funeral home directly.

If you do not have any of the above documentation, please seek independent legal advice.

Note: The above list is a guide only and may change depending on the specific requirements of an estate.