Legal Assistance
You will probably want to hire a lawyer to help you with the legalities of handling the will and estate. If you don't already have a lawyer, you can find one through the Lawyer Referral Service of the Law Society of Alberta. If necessary, Legal Aid can help you find and pay for a lawyer. A lawyer can provide you with a complete list of the legal rights and responsibilities of an executor/personal representative.
Apply for Benefits, Compensation and Pensions
Canada Pension applications are available at the funeral home. There are other possible sources of death benefits and compensation that you may also want to look into:
- AISH - Application/Invoice for Funeral Expense
- AISH - Request for Estimate - Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit
- Life Insurance Policies | Contact
- Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Policies | Contact
- Special Needs Assistance for Seniors Program | Contact
- Victims of Crime - Financial Benefits Program | Contact
- Workers' Compensation Board
- Federal Service - Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Survivor Benefits
- Federal Service - Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits
- Federal Service - International Benefits
- Federal Service - Last Post Fund
- Federal Service - National Defense Death and Disability Benefits
- Federal Service - Veterans Affairs Disability Pension
- Alberta Blue Cross
Remit Taxes
You need to file any necessary returns for the deceased, pay any tax owing and obtain an Income Tax Clearance Certificate before distributing the estate.
