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If you've recently suffered the loss of a loved family member or friend, we can help you at this difficult time. The support we can provide, can be tailored to your individual situation.
We will require documents to support you in gaining access to information and/or to act on your instructions with regards to an account involving a deceased person.
- Step 1 - Notifying us
- Step 2 - Required documentation
- Step 3 - What we'll do next
- Step 4 - Other helpful information
- Step 5 - Glossary
It is important that you tell us, as soon as possible of a family member or friend passing, so we can support you through this difficult time.
You can let us know by contacting us using the below methods.
If the deceased held a Farm Business (Rural Banking) product/s, by
- Email: Sydney.client.services@rabobank.com
- Mail: Client Services Manager, Rabobank, GPO Box 4577, Sydney, NSW 2001
- Phone: Our Regional Call Centre on 1800 025 484 , for agricultural clients, who will put you in contact with your local branch or call your local area manager directly. If you're overseas, you can call +61 2 8268 4511
- Visit: your local branch and speak directly to the Account Manager or contact your local Rabobank branch. Often a discussion with a staff member who is familiar with the business can provide a resolution
If the deceased held a Rabobank Online Savings product/s by:
- Phone: 1800 445 445 (free call), Mon- Fri 6am – 8pm Sydney time). If you’re overseas call: +61 2 8268 4513
- Email: ROSDataManagement@rabobank.com
- Mail: Client Services Manager, Rabobank, GPO Box 4577, Sydney, NSW 2001
We will need to receive some documents from you as the deceased estate representative. Depending on the complexity of the arrangements (in particular, loan accounts), we may need additional information from you.
To provide you with information about the deceased’s account(s) (including relevant ongoing fees, direct debits and recurring payments) or to receive payment towards a debt owed to us by the deceased, we require a certified copy of the Death Certificate and one of the following:
- Death Certificate or other official document where you are identified as a next of kin; OR
- Will where you are nominated as the executor; OR
- Letters of Administration that you have applied for (where there is no will).
If you cannot produce the documents referred to above, please contact us to discuss.
To act on your instructions in relation to the deceased's account(s), we require a certified copy of the Death Certificate and one of the following:
- Grant of Probate where you are named as executor; OR
- Letters of Administration where you are named as administrator.
If you engage a legal representative, we also require evidence of authority of that person to act on behalf of the executor or administrator.
If there are two or more executors, we will need to receive instructions from each executor.
If we do not require a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, we will let you know what is required to finalise the Estate.
In addition, we will need to confirm your identity using one of the following methods:
- If you are an existing Rabobank client, you can provide us with your account number and complete the security questions;
- You can present acceptable original photographic identification certification documents such as a passport or driver's license to Rabobank at one of our rural offices; or
- You can email certified copies of acceptable identification documents to one of our rural offices or Regional Call Centre.
Depending on the type of account held with us once we are notified of the passing of the deceased we will:
- Consider whether it is necessary to place a debit block on the account(s);
- Cancel any account internet access and any debit card of the deceased;
- Identify and stop charging fees that are for any product or service that can no longer be provided or will not be provided to the deceased’s estate. If any such fees have already been charged since the date of death, we will refund those fees.
For Sole Individual/ Sole Director Company /Sole Trustee Account owners – Deposit and Loan accounts we will also:
- Place a debit block on the account(s) so that no funds can be withdrawn from the account; and
- Allow credit payments to continue to be credited to the account(s).
For Joint Deposit Accounts:
- The joint account holder can continue to operate the account subject to the terms and conditions of the account. The account(s) will be transferred into the name of the surviving account holder once we receive a certified copy of the full Death Certificate.
- Any term deposit account can continue until maturity or a request can be made to release the funds prior to maturity in which case we will waive any interest penalties for early release*
For Loan Accounts:
- Loan repayments will need to continue to be made;
- Interest will continue to accrue on the account until the loan is repaid;
- For a sole account owner/sole director account, the loan facility will no longer be available and all debits will be blocked. If you have a concern about this, please contact us. Credit payments will continue to be received into the loan account.
- If you are concerned about loan repayments being unable to be met or if you need help with the process of managing the account, please contact the client’s Account Manager. If you are uncertain who this might be, please call our Regional Call Centre on 1800 025 484 (or +61 2 8268 4511 for international callers).
Once we receive the certified copy of a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, we will act on the Executor(s) / Administrator’s instructions and provide you with a letter within 14 days:
- Confirming a payment has been made or an account has been closed (as applicable); or
- The steps we are taking to act on the instructions;
- Advising of any further information we may require.
Depending on the complexity of the arrangements (for example loan accounts with complicated structures), it may take us longer to act on the instructions. We will endeavour to act on the instructions as soon as possible.
Deposit/ Savings Products
For deposit or savings products (including the All In One Credit Only Product) where the account is in credit up to $15,000, you do not need to provide us with the documents above in order for us to act on your instructions. However we will require a Deceased Estate Indemnity Form to be completed and signed by the executor (under the Will) or next of kin.
Powers of Attorney and Third Party Authorities
All Powers of Attorney and Third Party Authorities will cease once we are notified of the deceased person’s death.
* Provided the relevant notice periods have been satisfied.
If you require funds to assist with paying funeral expenses or other costs such as filing fees for Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, please provide the following information to us so that we can consider payment/reimbursement:
- Certified Copy of the Death Certificate;
- Certified Copy of Will or application for Letters of Administration;
- Tax Invoice (where the funeral has not yet been paid for); or
- Tax Receipt (if the funeral has already been paid for).
- We may also require a completed Deceased Estate Indemnity Form, where you are unable to provide us with the tax invoice or tax receipt.
- For Rabobank Online Savings accounts, this payment can be processed by sending an email to ROSDataManagement@rabobank.com along with the required documentation.
- For Rural Accounts, this payment can be processed by sending an email to Sydney.client.services@rabobank.com along with the required documentation.
You can find other information to help you through this challenging time at:
- Australian Centre of Grief and Bereavement, which can provide you with grief and bereavement assistance. You can call them on 1300 664 786.
- Department of Social Services, can offer social work services that can provide you with support, counselling and information. You can call them on 13 23 00.
- Beyond Blue can provide tools and support to help with mental health. Call them on 1300 224 636.
Administrator
An administrator is a person who is authorised by the Supreme Court to administer a deceased person’s Estate when the deceased person dies without a will.
Beneficiary
A person who inherits funds, property or other benefits from an estate.
Death Certificate
A death certificate is an official document issued by the Births Deaths and Marriages Registry used to prove that someone has passed away. A death certificate provides specific information such as the date, place and cause of death.
Estate
An estate refers to the deceased customer assets. An Executor or Administrator is required to manage a deceased person’s estate. This includes looking after all property and bank accounts held in the name of the deceased as well as paying out all debts owed by the deceased from the assets of the estate.
Executor
An executor is a person named in a Will who is responsible for carrying out the instructions of the Will and managing a deceased person’s estate.
Intestate
When someone passes away without leaving a valid Will.
Letters of Administration
Letters of Administration evidence the fact that the court has examined the relevant documents and is satisfied that the person named in the grant is authorised to administer the estate. These are issued by the Supreme Court when a person dies without leaving a Will.
Probate
Probate is the document issued by the Supreme Court in recognition that a Will is legally valid, which authorises the executor to deal with the estate of the deceased person.
Will
A written legal instruction of how a person wants their property to be distributed upon their death. To be valid, it must comply with correct legal requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
A deceased estate refers to the total assets, property, and debts left behind by a person after they pass away. It includes everything they owned, such as real estate, bank accounts, investments, and personal belongings, as well as any outstanding liabilities like mortgages or debts. Administering a deceased estate involves managing these assets, settling debts, and distributing the remaining estate to the beneficiaries as per the deceased person's Will or intestacy laws.
When a person dies without a Will, they die intestate. If a person dies intestate, the closest relative of the deceased person can make an application to the Supreme Court for Letters of Administration. The Supreme Court assesses the application and can appoint an administrator to deal with the deceased’s estate.
In Australia, the responsibility for managing a deceased estate primarily falls upon the Executor or Administrator. Here's a short summary of the key individuals involved:
- Executor: If the deceased person left a valid Will, they would have named an Executor (or Executors) in the Will. The Executor is responsible for carrying out the deceased person's wishes as outlined in the Will. They ensure that assets of the deceased person’s estate are properly distributed, debts and taxes are paid, and any other necessary legal processes are followed.
- Administrator: If the deceased person did not leave a Will (i.e. they died intestate) or did not name an Executor in their will, an Administrator may be appointed by the court to manage the estate. The Administrator typically acts as the personal representative and performs similar duties as an Executor.
It's important to note that the role of managing a deceased estate involves various legal and financial responsibilities. Executors and Administrators may wish to seek professional advice from lawyers, accountants, or estate administration specialists to ensure the estate is handled appropriately and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Probate is a procedure whereby a Will is recognised by the Supreme Court as being authentic.
It is necessary for the Executor(s) of the Will to obtain Probate from the Supreme Court so that they have the legal authority to deal with the deceased’s assets (and liabilities) to enable distribution of the estate in accordance with the Will.
Probate is usually granted by the Registrar of the Supreme Court after receiving an application from the Executor(s). It involves establishing that it was in fact the testator (maker of the Will) who died, that the Will was properly signed and attested (authentic), and that the Executor(s) have been appointed.
Letters of Administration is the formal process of applying to the Supreme Court to have an Administrator appointed to administer an estate where someone has died intestate (i.e. without a Will).
The process for obtaining Probate or Letters of Administration can vary depending on the complexity of the estate, the specific circumstances, and any potential disputes or legal issues that may arise. Seeking legal advice or assistance from professionals experienced in estate administration is highly recommended to ensure compliance with the legal requirements and to navigate the process smoothly.
- The joint account holder can continue to operate the account subject to the terms and conditions of the account. The account(s) will be transferred into the name of the surviving account holder once we receive a certified copy of the full Death Certificate.
- Any term deposit account can continue until maturity or a request can be made to release the funds prior to maturity in which case we will waive any interest penalties for early release*
* provided the relevant notice periods have been satisifed.
In place of a Death Certificate, please send any certified copies of the documents stating the death of the deceased. This could be a medical report stating the death or a coroner’s letter confirming the passing.
Please see our Rabobank Certification Reference Sheet here