The days after a death
After a death: the questions people actually ask
Straight answers to the things that come up first, so you can deal with them and move on.
These are problem-shaped pages for the first weeks after a death: what probate costs, whether you even need it, the frozen bank account, declining to be the executor, and what happens when there is no will. For the full sequence, use the after-a-death guide. This is general information about the process, not legal advice.
What will probate cost? →
The probate fee or tax in all ten provinces, plus the small-estate thresholds.
The bank froze the account →
Why there is no legal threshold, and what to ask your institution in writing.
Do I even need probate? →
Sole-name, joint, and named-beneficiary assets, and where the answer is unverified.
I do not want to be the executor →
How to decline by province, the form to use, and the route once you are appointed.
There is no will →
The grant name and who may apply, province by province, and where to find the rules.
Common questions
Where do I even start after a death?
Start with the questions below: they are the ones people actually search in the first week. For the full step-by-step, use the after-a-death guide. This section answers the specific problems that come up, such as a frozen bank account or a missing will.
Do I always need probate?
Not always. It depends on how the assets were held, sole name, joint, or with a named beneficiary, and on each institution's own policy. The "do I even need probate" page walks through it by asset type.
Where to go from here
General information only, not legal advice. Guidepost is not a law firm. Estate rules and fees are set by each province; confirm the current detail with the court or registry linked on each page. Full disclaimer. Last updated: July 2026.