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Deceased Estates

Losing a loved one is a lot to process, along with additional responsibilities that can fall to you in a difficult time. We’ve put together some helpful information about how we can help you through the process of managing your loved one’s banking affairs.

What to do first

The first step is to contact us. We'll ask some questions and help you with the documents needed to finalise the Estate.

Call

1300 747 747 Australia-wide
Monday to Friday 7:00am-7:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm

Email
deceasedestates@bankaust.com.au

Visit
Come into a Qudos Branch

To discuss more regarding financial hardship, please email customerassistance@bankaust.com.au.

For any Finanical abuse, please visit our support page for more information.

What forms do I need to complete?

You’ll need to complete the Deceased Estates Notification Form and submit this to us with the required documents.

What documents do I need to supply?

  • You’ll need to provide at least one certified proof of death document. This can either be a death certificate or medical report.
  • If the deceased left a Will, please include a certified copy of this document. This is not required for joint accounts.
  • Your documents must be stamped, dated and signed by an authorised person. You can learn about who can do this for you on the back of our certification form.

Establishing an 'Estate of' trust account

An 'Estate of' account may be opened by the executor(s), administrator(s) or next of kin for the Estate. To get started, see the application form for details.

Releasing funds for expenses

Requesting a release of funds may be an option when there are sufficient funds available to do so. Noting however that if you don't have probate or letters of administration, the amount we can release is capped at $15,000 under section 69B of the Bank Act. To get started, get in touch with the deceased team directly at deceasedestates@bankaust.com.au or through your solicitor to discuss your options.

What happens once I submit a notification?

The accounts will be restricted

Once a notification has been received, all single accounts in the name of the deceased will be restricted. This means no money will be taken from them. Automated transactions such as direct debits and auto transfers will be dishonoured.

Access methods like credit and debit cards, mobile app and Online Banking will also be removed.

All third-party authorities (including Powers of Attorney, Financial Management Orders, and authorised signatories) are ceased upon a customer’s death. Access via a third-party authority will be removed once the notification has been received.

A letter will be sent including account information and request for further documents

If you’re one of the following:

  • executor; or
  • administrator; or
  • next of kin; or
  • legal representative

A letter will be sent providing information about the deceased’s accounts, which will include a listing of any electronic debit and credit arrangements in the last 13 months. We recommend that you contact any third-party payees to stop payments from being taken out of the accounts where possible.

We may ask you to supply us with documents such as the Will, Probate or Letters of Administration. This is dependent on the value of the Estate.

If there are business accounts under the name of the deceased, we may ask you to supply other documents, such as evidence of change of trustee or director.

Funds will be released once all relevant documentation has been submitted

Provided that you supply us with the necessary documents, all accounts will be settled, and funds will be released to either:

  • the executor; or
  • administrator; or
  • solicitor acting for the Estate

Single personal accounts

Total balance (less than $1,000)
Total balance (between $1,000 and $50,000)
Total balance (greater than $50,000)
• Death Certificate

• Will (if one exists)

• Identity document (if executor(s)/next of kin are not existing Qudos Bank customers)

Account closure form signed by executor(s)/'next of kin
• Death Certificate

• Will, ‘Grant of Probate’, or ‘Letters of Administration’ if there is no Will (or the application number and unique ID number for Victorian Grants)

Indemnity form signed by executor(s)/next of kin

• If a home loan is held, we need either a certified copy of the ‘Grant of Probate’, or ‘Letters of Administration’ if there is no Will (or the application number and unique ID number for Victorian Grants)
• Death Certificate

• ‘Grant of Probate’ or ‘Letters of Administration’ if there is no will (or the application number and unique ID number for Victorian Grants)

• Certified copy of ID (if executor(s) are not customers)

• Account closure form signed by executor(s)

Joint accounts

No home loan
With home loan
• Death Certificate

• Instructions from the joint survivor to either keep the account in their name solely or close the account

• Account closure form if accounts are to be closed
• Death Certificate

• Instructions from the joint survivor to either keep the account in their name solely or close the account

• Application of survivorship lodged to remove the deceased from the property title

• Account closure form if accounts are to be closed(s)

Non-personal

Signatory or Power of Attorney
• Confirmation of death document, such as a Death Certificate, funeral invoice, or Coroner’s Letter

What happens to the accounts?

Joint accounts

If you shared a joint account with your deceased loved one, you’ll still have access to make withdrawals and deposits as per normal (except for term deposits). Once we’ve received a certified copy of the death certificate, the joint account will be transferred into your name.

Term deposits

If the Term Deposit is held jointly, it will be transferred into the Surviving Account holder’s name. A Term Deposit can also be closed early (once we have received all the necessary documents to close the Deceased Member’s accounts) without incurring any fees or penalties. Interest will be paid out up to the date of closure.

Credit cards

Any owing balance on an existing credit card held in the deceased’s sole name will be paid off using funds available from an existing savings and transaction account, in line with the product’s terms and conditions. Existing direct debits attached to the credit card need to be cancelled. If the deceased person was the sole primary cardholder, any additional cardholder’s cards will be automatically cancelled.

Home loans

Interest will still accrue on the loan account and must still be repaid. If you need to remove the deceased’s name from the title, please get in contact with your solicitor.

If you’re unable to make the repayments, please contact us immediately on 1300 747 747.

Retirement Savings Account

To satisfy the laws relating to the closure of Retirement Savings Accounts, you may need to submit certified copies of the death certificate, Will, Probate or Letters of Administration.

Once this is closed, any remaining funds in the account will be added to the Estate. If you’ve been nominated as a reversionary spouse (nominated as a beneficiary to receive pension payments by the deceased), we’ll get in contact with you to continue payments.

Trust accounts

We recommend you seek independent legal or financial advice if you were nominated as a beneficiary for a trust fund held by the deceased.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What funds can be paid out of the account?

We can pay funeral expenses (excluding expenses related to the wake or memorial) directly from the Deceased’s account, up to an amount of $15,000. To organise this, Qudos Bank will require you to supply us with a copy of the Funeral Invoice. Funds will be paid directly to the funeral provider.

For all other Estate related expenses, please contact us on 1300 747 747 to discuss.

What happens to direct debits and credits?

Direct Debits will automatically be dishonoured on any accounts the Deceased held in their sole name. Direct Debits on Joint Accounts will not be affected. Direct Credits will continue to be deposited into both single or joint accounts the Deceased held.

You’ll still need to contact any organisation debiting or crediting the Deceased’s accounts in order to either cancel their account with that merchant or make new arrangements (as we do not have the authority to do this). Qudos Bank will provide a list of direct debits and credits to help identify the organisations that need to be contacted.

What happens with additional card holders?

If the deceased was the sole primary cardholder of a credit card, any additional cards associated with the account will be automatically cancelled.

External support services

How can we help?