Estate Claims Resource Centre
The Estates Claims Resource Centre is designed to support advisors and assistants with practical guidance and sample materials for submitting estate claims with Manulife Mutual Fund Retail Operations. Use these resources to better understand requirements and help ensure a smoother experience when supporting clients through the estate process.
Estates Education
Notification of Death
Requirements and steps needed to notify Manulife of a client’s death and begin estate processing.
Download checklist (Advisor login required)Important Information
- For nominee accounts, the nominee must be contacted directly.
- Advisors should collect only basic information until Proof of Death is received.
- Account details can only be discussed with the advisor, dealer, or joint owner (if applicable).
- Beneficiary or family members cannot receive account details until documentation is provided.
Why this information matters
- Ensures privacy and regulatory compliance by limiting disclosure to authorized parties.
- Prevents errors or inconsistencies before legal proof of death is confirmed.
- Reduces risk of acting on incomplete or inaccurate information early in the process.
Requirements
- Name of person reporting the death
- Relationship to deceased
- Date of death
- Contact details for estate correspondence
- Determine if account is Nominee or Client-Held
Important Information
- Advisors should always collect copies, not originals.
- Beneficiary designations follow the original signed application
- If the named beneficiary passed away first, the account has no beneficiary.
Why this information matters
- Protects clients and estates from loss of original legal documents.
- Ensures distributions follow legally binding instructions, not later assumptions.
- Clarifies when estate settlement rules apply instead of beneficiary rules.
Requirements
- Proof of Death
- Will (if applicable)
- Letters Probate / Administration (if required)
- Statutory Declaration & Indemnity (if applicable)
- Letter of Direction (Executor/Heirs)
- List of all heirs (if no will)
Important Information
- Advisors must review the most recent signed application to confirm the current beneficiary or successor annuitant, as prior designations may have been updated or replaced.
- Tax treatment depends on beneficiary type and plan type.
Why this information matters
- Prevents incorrect payouts based on outdated or assumed beneficiary information.
- Ensures proper tax reporting and avoids unintended tax consequences for estates or beneficiaries.
Requirements | Registered Plans (RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, LIRA, LIF, LRSP, etc.)
| Scenario | Required Documents |
Spouse or Successor Annuitant |
Proof of Death |
| Letter of Direction | |
SIN (if redeeming) Signature Guaranteed |
|
| Statutory Declaration | |
| Executor contact info (tax) | |
| Qualified Beneficiary | Proof of Death |
| Statutory Declaration | |
Letter of Direction (with SIN/DOB) Signature Guaranteed |
|
| Executor contact info (tax) | |
| Unqualified Beneficiary | Proof of Death |
| Statutory Declaration | |
| Executor contact info (tax) | |
Letter of Direction (with SIN/DOB) Signature Guaranteed |
|
| No Beneficiary / Estate | Will (if applicable) |
| Proof of Death | |
| Letters Probate (if required) | |
Letter of Direction (with SIN/DOB) Signature Guaranteed |
|
| Statutory Declaration | |
| Executor contact info (tax) |
Important Information
- When a spousal contributor dies, the account becomes Individual.
- Only applies if contributions were made on behalf of the annuitant.
Why this information matters
- Confirms account ownership and control after death.
- Avoids applying spousal rules where they no longer legally apply.
Requirements
- Proof of Death
- Letter of Direction from annuitant
Important Information
- Payments are always made to Estate of the Deceased, c/o Executor(s).
- For JTIC, the deceased’s portion follows the Estate process.
- For JTWROS, the surviving joint owner becomes owner of the account.
Why this information matters
- Ensures assets are distributed according to ownership structure.
- Prevents misdirected payments that could trigger legal disputes.
- Supports accurate estate valuation and settlement.
Requirements | Non-Registered Accounts
| Scenario | Required |
| Individual / JTIC Under $150K With Will | Proof of Death |
| Will | |
| Statutory Declaration | |
Executor Letter of Direction
*For non‑registered estate scenarios where the account holder and/or an ITF beneficiary is deceased, executor contact information (name and mailing address) is required. |
|
| Under $150K No Will | Proof of Death |
| Statutory Declaration | |
| All heirs must be added to Part 2 of Statutory Declaration | |
| Letters of Administration (if applicable) |
|
| Over $150K or Holographic Will | Letters Probate |
Executor Letter of Direction
*For non‑registered estate scenarios where the account holder and/or an ITF beneficiary is deceased, executor contact information (name and mailing address) is required. |
Important Information
- Estate handling depends on whether the beneficiary or account holder has died.
*The documentation requirements noted for ITF accounts are preliminary. Policy & Control will review all submitted documents and may require additional information or documentation prior to settlement approval.
Why this information matters
- Determines who has legal authority to provide instructions.
- Protects beneficiary interests while complying with trust rules.
Requirements | ITF (In-Trust-For) Accounts
| Scenario | Required |
ITF Beneficiary Deceased | Proof of Death |
| Letter from Account Holder | |
| SIN & DOB of beneficiary | |
| Account Holder Deceased | Proof of Death |
| Beneficiary SIN & DOB | |
| Will (copy) |
Important Information
- Requirements depend on whether a corporation exists and whether signing officers remain.
Why this information matters
- Confirms who retains legal signing authority.
- Prevents unauthorized transactions or account freezes.
Requirements | Corporate/Group/Partnership Accounts
| Scenario | Required |
One Signing Officer Deceased |
Proof of Death |
| Updated list of signing officers | |
| Sole Signing Officer Deceased | Proof of Death |
| New corporate resolution |
Important Information
- Quebec does not allow beneficiary designations on registered accounts.
- JTWROS does not exist in Quebec — accounts are treated as JTIC.
Why this information matters
- Ensures provincial estate laws are correctly applied.
- Prevents processing errors caused by assumptions based on other provinces
Requirements | Quebec Accounts
| Type of will | Required |
Holographic will (handwritten) |
Proof of Death |
| Executor Name and Address | |
| Judgment of Probate for Last Will | |
| Research Certificate from the Quebec Bar | |
| Research Certificate from the Chamber of Notaries | |
| Signature guaranteed letter of direction from the liquidator(s) of the estate | |
| For locked-in funds: signature guaranteed spousal declaration signed by liquidator(s) is required | |
Intestate (no will) with a marriage contract with testamentary clauses |
Proof of Death |
| Executor’s Name and Address | |
| Research Certificate from the Quebec Bar | |
| Research Certificate from the Chamber of Notaries | |
| Declaration of Marriage | |
| Signature guaranteed letter of direction from the heirs of the estate | |
| For locked-in funds: signature guaranteed spousal declaration signed by liquidator(s) is required | |
Intestate (no will) without a marriage contract |
Proof of Death |
| Executor Name and Address | |
| Research Certificate from the Quebec Bar | |
| Research Certificate from the Chamber of Notaries | |
| Declaration of Heirship by all heirs to the estate and signature-guaranteed with notification that the deceased died with no spouse | |
| For locked-in funds: signature guaranteed spousal declaration signed by liquidator(s) is required | |
| Notarial Last Will and Testament | Proof of Death |
| Executor Name and Address | |
| Last Will and Testament | |
| Research Certificate from the Quebec Bar | |
| Research Certificate from the Chamber of Notaries | |
| Signature-guarantee letter of direction from the liquidator(s) of the estate | |
Joint tenants in common (JTIC) |
The account is split in half and transferred at cost |
| The deceased portion of the account follows any of the above rules | |
| Spousal Plan – Removal of Spousal Contributor due to death | Proof of Death |
| Letter of direction from the annuitant, signature guaranteed |
Important Information
- If the deceased was the only subscriber, a new subscriber must be appointed.
- For joint subscribers: plan continues with surviving subscriber.
Why this information matters
- Maintains plan eligibility and government grant integrity.
- Ensures uninterrupted administration of the RESP for beneficiaries.
Requirements | RESP Accounts
| Scenario | Required |
Only Subscriber Deceased |
Proof of Death (Subscriber) |
Will / Probate (if applicable) |
|
| New CESG/RESP application | |
Statutory Declaration (if required) |
|
Executor Letter of Direction
* Executor contact info (name and address) is required when the sole or all subscribers are deceased. |
|
| Subscriber Deceased- No Will | Proof of Death |
| Statutory Declaration | |
| All heirs to be listed on Statutory Declaration | |
Letters of Administration (if applicable) |
|
Subscriber Deceased – Over $150K or Holographic Will |
Letters Probate |
| Executor Letter of Direction | |
| Beneficiary Deceased | Proof of Death (Beneficiary) |
| Direction from Subscriber regarding continuation or redistribution of plan assets | |
| Subscriber and Beneficiary Deceased | Proof of Death (Subscriber and Beneficiary) |
| Will(s) | |
| Statutory Declaration | |
| Executor Letter of Direction | |
Letters Probate or Letters of Administration (as applicable) |
Types of Wills
| Type of Will | Definition |
| Codicil | This is an amendment to a will that is made when there is already a valid will in place. It has the same signing and witnessing requirements as a formal will. |
| Formal will | This refers to a standard will that is prepared on a computer or word processor and that follows the rules of a valid will. It is signed at the end by the testator in front of two witnesses who are present at the same time. |
| Holographic will | This refers to a will that is 100% in the handwriting of the testator. Some provinces require it to have witnesses, but it must be signed and dated by the testator. Holograph wills are valid in most, but not all, provinces and territories. After death the heirs must have the will probated. |
| International will | This type of will is only useful to high-net-worth people do not choose to prepare separate wills in those countries. The form of an international will is set by a convention that is recognized internationally. |
| Military will | In general, an individual has to be at least the age of majority to make a valid will. An exception exists so that personnel of the armed forces, mariners and seaman may make a will even if they are underage. This type of will needs to be signed and dated but does not need witnesses. It may be formal or holographic. |
| Mirror will, a.k.a reciprocal will | This type of will is usually made by husbands and wives. Two mirror wills contain identical provisions, such as a husband and wife both leaving their estate to their children when both parents have died. |
| Mutual will | This is a specialized type of will in which the two people (usually husband and wife) who make the wills specifically agree to a certain arrangement of disposing of their property. These wills used when appropriate, such as in second marriage. These wills are almost never holographic as it's almost impossible to get the contractual obligations correct without the help of a lawyer. |
Quebec (Will made in the presence of witnesses) |
Like a holograph will, a will made in the presence of witnesses is a document drawn up by the testator. It must declare that the document is their will in the presence of two witnesses above the age of eighteen and then signed. After death the heirs must have the will probated. |
Quebec (Notarial will) |
A notarial will is a will drawn up by a notary. It must be made before a notary in the presence of a witness or, in certain cases, two witnesses, for example when the testator is blind. The will must indicate the date and place where it was made. Once the will has been read, it must be signed by the testator, the notary and the witness, in each other's presence. Since the notary keeps the original, there is no risk that it will be lost and legatees will be sure of finding it. The heirs will not need to have this will probated. |
| RC249 | Canada Revenue Agency form issued to the executor or legal representative if there is a decrease in the value between the date of death and the date of the final payout to a non-qualified beneficiary or the estate. The executor/legal representative can use the RC249 to deduct the amount of the decrease when filing the deceased final tax return. |
Estates Glossary
Contact us
Business processing details
Please send all correspondence to the following address:
Manulife Mutual funds
500 King St North, Del Stn 500 G-B
Waterloo, ON
N2J 4C6
English
Phone: 1-888-588-7999
Fax: 1-866-581-8427 or 416-581-8427
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET
manulifemutualfunds@manulife.com
French
Phone: 1-877-426-9991
Fax: 1-866-581-8427
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET
fondsmutuelsmanuvie@manuvie.com