Deceased estates and settlements
If you’ve recently lost a family member or friend, we understand that this is an emotional time. We aim to make the process of settling an account after the death of a loved one as smooth as possible.
The information below outlines the steps, forms and documentation we require to settle an account. Our customer operations team is available to answer your questions throughout the process.
Secure link
Complete the secure link request form.
Notify us
Complete deceased estate notification form and we will assess the documents.
Finalise account
Complete an authority to release assets form to settle the account.
Completion
We will settle the account.
Step 1: Request a secure link
For security reasons, we do not request personal documentation be sent to us via email. Please complete this form to receive a secure link to send the deceased estate notification form, authority to release assets form and any other required documents to us.
Step 2: Notify us
To notify us of a death, please complete a deceased estate notification form and send it to us via the secure link provided, along with copies of all required documents listed in the form. Unless otherwise stated, copies of the documents must be certified copies.
Depending on the account type, you will need to choose from one of the forms below:
- Deceased estate notification form (Individuals)
- Deceased estate notification form (trusts/SMSFs/companies)
Statutory declaration
The deceased estate notification form will indicate whether you are required to provide a statutory declaration and declare your proof of relationship and intestacy. If required, please use the template below:
If the statutory declaration is required, you will need to send it to us via the secure link provided in step 1.
Assessment
Once we have received your deceased estate notification form and all required documents, we will provide a statement setting out account details and balance within 30 days. We will contact you if any further documentation is required.
Step 3: Finalise the account
To settle the account, please complete an authority to release assets form and send it to us via the secure link provided in step 1, along with copies of all required documents listed in the form. Unless otherwise stated, copies of the documents must be certified copies.
Statutory declaration
The authority to release assets form will indicate whether you are required to provide a statutory declaration and declare that you have no intention to obtain grant of probate or letters of administration (see form for more information). If required, please use the template below:
If the statutory declaration is required, you will need to send it to us via the secure link provided.
Step 4: Completion
Once we have received your authority to release assets form and all required documents, we will act on the instructions provided in the form. We will advise you of the completion of such instructions within 30 days.
Secure link request form
Please complete the fields below and we will send a secure link for you to submit the required forms and documentation.
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Contact us
Customer Operations
FAQs
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Why do I need a secure link?
For security reasons, we do not request personal information and documentation be sent to us via email.
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What documentation is required for the deceased estate notification form?
Each deceased estate is unique and the documents we require will depend on your circumstances. The deceased estate notification form guides you through the process and sets out which documents we will require.
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What happens after I upload the deceased estate notification form?
We will review the form and associated documents. If all required documents have been received, we will provide you with a statement setting out the account details and balance held within 30 days.
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How do I settle the account?
To settle the account, the estate’s authorised representative will be required to provide authority and payment instructions, and final estate documents. You can do this by completing the authority to release assets form available for download in step three on this page.
To complete the form, you may need to obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration in the State of Western Australia, depending on the value of the account held by the deceased. Please review the form for further instructions.
We will not finalise any payments or act on any instructions until we are provided with:
- the deceased estate notification form
- the authority to release assets form
- the documents required by those forms, and
- any further documentation we determine is necessary in the circumstances.
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What documentation is required for the authority to release assets form?
Each deceased estate is unique, and the documents we require will depend on your circumstances. Section two of the form outlines the documents required.
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What happens after I upload the authority to release assets form?
We will review the form and associated documents, and if all required documents have been received, will act in accordance with the instructions in the form,and provide you with confirmation of the outcome within 30 days.
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Where do I get a death certificate?
The death certificate will generally be issued to the deceased’s next of kin and can be obtained from the Registry of Birth, Deaths and Marriages in your state or territory.
If located overseas, you can obtain an equivalent government issued death certificate in that jurisdiction.
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Why do I need to be identified?
To protect our customer’s accounts, we must be satisfied that you are the authorised or legal representative of a deceased estate. When it comes to accepting instructions from you to settle the account, we must comply with legislative obligations which require us to know our customers so we can identify, mitigate and manage any money laundering and terrorism financing risks.
Please refer to section four of the deceased estate notification form under the heading ‘Identification of notifier’ to understand what identification documents you will need to provide.
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Who can certify or notarise my documents?
Australia
Any professional listed as an authorised witness for the purposes of the Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005 (WA) can certify your documents.
A Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public can notarise your documents.
Overseas
A Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public or Justice of the Peace can certify or notarise your identification documents.
A full list is set out in the deceased estate notification form and authority to release assets form.
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What if the deceased has a joint account?
If an account is held as a joint account, the surviving joint account owner may continue operating the account as normal if the account has been established with surviving party authorised to schedule and process transactions. We can help organise for the account to be amended to be in the surviving account holder's name only. Please contact the Customer Operations Team for assistance in amending joint accounts.
Customer Operations
For new accounts, changes to existing accounts and verification.Available 9am-5pm weekdays AWST -
What if there is no will?
If there is no will, you may be required to provide us with a certified or notarised copy of the Letters of Administration. Please refer to section two of the deceased estate notification form for further information.
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When will I need Probate or Letters of Administration?
We require Probate or Letters of Administration in the following scenarios:
- a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration from the Supreme Court of Western Australia if the estate is valued at AUD 50,000 or more; or
- a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration in any jurisdiction if the estate is valued between AUD 20,000 and AUD 50,000.
You do not need a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration if the value of the account is less than AUD 20,000.
Please refer to section two of the authority to release assets form for further information.
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How do I apply for a Grant of Probate from the Supreme Court of Western Australia?
You may prepare and file an application for a Grant of Probate yourself using an interactive online form system called Probate Wizard, available through the eCourts Portal. You will be required to have an Australian address for service to receive correspondence from the Court, and to ensure formal documents can be served to you.
Alternatively, you may instruct a lawyer to prepare and file the application on your behalf. You should obtain legal assistance if you find that the probate online application is not suitable for your application.
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How long does the Supreme Court of Western Australia take to process an application for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration?
Your application for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration will be considered by a registrar of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Complex applications may take longer to review, and the process may be delayed from time-to-time. For indicative timing, please visit the Supreme Court of Western Australia website for further information.
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How do I apply for Letters of Administration from the Supreme Court of Western Australia?
Letters of Administration are issued by the Supreme Court of Western Australia where the deceased died intestate (without a valid will) to ascertain who should administer their estate. This process is designed to protect the deceased’s assets and provide permission to a named administrator to gain the information required to administer the estate.
To assist with the requirements of the application, you may need to seek independent legal advice.
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Where can I find legal representation in Western Australia?
If you require legal assistance, please visit the Law Society of Western Australia to find a legal practitioner with authority to act in Western Australia.
Definitions
Administrator
Person(s) appointed by the court to manage a deceased person’s estate when there’s no will.
Authorised representative
Person(s) we are able to share the deceased customers’ account details and information with, and who can provide payment or account closure instructions to us. Depending on the circumstances, an authorised representative could be the administrator, executor, the immediate next-of-kin or legal representative.
Executor
The person(s) named in the will who is in charge of administering the deceased estate according to the terms of the will of the deceased.
Grant of Probate
A document issued by the Supreme Court of Western Australia that confirms the validity of a will and authorises the executor/s to act.
Letters of Administration
Letters of Administration are documents granted by the Supreme Court of Western Australia, giving authority to an administrator to collect and distribute the assets of the estate, in the absence of a valid will.
Will
A legal document which specifies how someone wishes their estate to be distributed after their passing.
DISCLAIMER
The information above is intended to assist you to notify and instruct us in relation to a deceased estate account and should not be considered legal advice. As probate can be a complex area of law, we recommend you seek the assistance of a lawyer if you find the process difficult. To the maximum extent permitted by law, The Perth Mint accepts no liability for any loss suffered as a result of any action of any kind taken by any person based on information provided on this webpage.