The documents we shall then need for further processing will depend on the situation and the products (cash/securities/loans) in the accounts of the deceased. Below you will find an explanation of some of the documents we will ask for.
2.1. Death certificate
We must be able to establish the demise officially. This is done via the “death certificate”. The registrar of the municipality where the demise occurred issues this document. The undertaker will normally arrange to obtain this document for you.
2.2. Certificate or deed of inheritance
We always need a “certificate or deed of inheritance” in order to be able to deal with banking issues. Among other things, this determines who the heirs are and who is authorised to act on behalf of the estate.
As an heir, you are legally obliged to have a deed of inheritance drawn up by a notary if:
- the deceased was married under a marriage contract; or
- the deceased has left a will; or
- the deceased has had a “deed of gift between spouses” drawn up by a notary; or
- there are “incapacitated heirs”, such as minors, adults with guardians, etc.
A notary will charge a fee for the preparation of a deed of inheritance.
In all other cases, you can have the certificate of inheritance drawn up by the Administration of Legal Security of the Federal Public Service Finance. The Administration of Legal Security will undertake the necessary searches and then provide the certificate free of charge. If this deed or certificate refers to a debt, the bank must first receive confirmation that it has been paid before being able to release funds.
2.3. Signed instruction
In order to distribute the estate among the heirs, the bank must receive a signed instruction from all heirs. It is also possible for all the heirs to jointly give a power of attorney to one of them or to the notary charged with the settlement of the estate. This person may then represent them collectively for this settlement. Your Private Banker or trusted contact will provide you with more information about this. This document contains:
- information about the account concerned;
- the amount that will be transferred to the heirs;
- copies of identity card(s);
- the signatures of all the heirs.