Manitoba
What to do when someone dies in Manitoba: a step-by-step checklist
A Manitoba checklist for the first days after a death: registering the death with Vital Statistics, ordering certificates, applying for probate in the Court of King's Bench, and Manitoba-specific notifications.
- Called
- executor
- Court authority
- Grant of Probate
- Death registered with
- Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency
Manitoba's estate process runs under The Wills Act and The Court of King's Bench Surrogate Practice Act. The person named in a will is the executor; where there is no will, the court appoints an administrator. Manitoba removed its probate fees several years ago, which makes it one of the least expensive provinces in which to obtain a grant.
Registering the death in Manitoba
The funeral director files the medical certificate of death and the registration of death with the Manitoba Vital Statistics Agency. Death certificates are ordered from Vital Statistics once the registration is processed. Order several at once — most institutions keep the copy you send them.
Applying for probate in Manitoba
- The application is filed with the Court of King's Bench in the judicial centre where the deceased lived.
- Manitoba no longer charges a probate levy on the value of the estate; ordinary filing fees still apply.
- The application includes an inventory of assets and liabilities with values as of the date of death.
- Land transfers are registered through the Manitoba Land Titles Office (Teranet Manitoba).
Manitoba-specific notifications
- Manitoba Health — cancel the health registration card.
- Manitoba Public Insurance — driver's licence, vehicle registration, plates and any Autopac policies.
- Manitoba Land Titles, where real property is held.
- Employment and Income Assistance, if received.
- Manitoba Hydro and municipal property tax accounts.
Steps that are the same everywhere in Canada
- 1Get the legal pronouncement of death. In hospital or long-term care, staff handle it. At home, call 911 unless the death was expected and a plan is in place.
- 2Contact the funeral home or crematorium. They register the death and file the paperwork that produces the death certificate.
- 3Find the will and any funeral or burial wishes before arrangements are finalized.
- 4Tell close family and the person's employer. Ask the employer about group life insurance, a final pay period and benefits for a surviving spouse.
- 5Secure the home, pets, vehicles and anything of value. Redirect the mail once you have authority to do so.
- 6Do not cancel anything paid automatically until you know what it covers — insurance especially.
Federal notifications
- Service Canada — cancel the Social Insurance Number, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement, and apply for the Canada Pension Plan death benefit, survivor's pension and children's benefit. In Quebec, this is Retraite Québec instead.
- Canada Revenue Agency — report the date of death, stop benefit payments such as the GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit, and file the final T1 return.
- Passport Canada — return the passport for cancellation.
- Veterans Affairs Canada, if the person served.
- Any federal pension plan the person contributed to.
General information about public processes in Manitoba, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current requirements with the province or a lawyer.
Everything above starts with finding information.
A Life Box holds the documents, accounts, policies, property and people your executor would otherwise have to go looking for — organized while you're here, released only after authority is verified.