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Loss of a loved one.
We understand that suffering a loss can be a very difficult time. There are lots of things to sort out which we can help with.
What we do to help.
At Westpac we have a dedicated deceased estates management team available to help you through the process of settling the financial affairs of a Westpac customer who's passed away. Our aim is to help remove the complications and make this experience as supportive and helpful as possible.
We've pulled together some information below that can help get you prepared for any conversations you may need to have.
Notifying us.
Dealing with bereavement and the management of a deceased estate – here's what you need to know and what to have with you. We've also compiled a list of other organisations to notify.
Proof of death:
When someone passes away, you will need to provide us with 'proof of death'. This is a formal notification to the Bank.
Proof of death includes any one of these documents:
- Original or certified death certificate (this is preferred)
- Original or certified doctor's medical certificate of cause of death
- Original or certified coroners certificate of findings
- Estate solicitor's letter.
You should also start gathering the following documents:
- Details of one account number the deceased held, if possible (even if there are multiple accounts)
- Your proof of identification.
Summary of requirements to finalise an Estate
Documents need to be original sighted at the branch or certified copies (certification must be within 90 days of Westpac receiving the document).
| Total value of accounts held at Westpac (at date of death or current) | Requirements | How |
| Below $500 |
|
OR
|
| Below $15,000 |
|
OR
|
| Above $15,000 |
|
OR
|
Documents and forms.
When dealing with the estate of a Westpac customer you may be asked to complete various forms – depending on the type of products that are in the estate. We will accept any ID on this list as long as at least one of the IDs provided contains a signature. Executors do not need to provide proof of address.
Certification requirements: Some of the documents you provide may require certification. Here's our certification requirements.. To avoid delays, please ensure that your trusted referee follows each of the required steps and uses their stamp. Note: we can accept certified copies of documents that are scanned and emailed to us in PDF format.
These include:
- Small Estate Declaration and Claim/Indemnity Form (if the Estate is less than $3,000 and Probate or Letters of Administration are not being applied for)
- Declaration and Claim/Indemnity Form (if the Estate is less than $15,000 and Probate or Letters of Administration are not being applied for)
- Executors Letter of Instruction to Westpac New Zealand Limited
- Westpac KiwiSaver Scheme Deceased Estate Withdrawal Form
- Retirement Plan Withdrawal Request
- Declaration and Claim/Indemnity Form for the release of a safe custody box or envelope (when Probate of Letters of Administration are not being applied for)
- Declaration of Estate Insolvency Form.
Choose how to notify us.
Support team
The Westpac estate management team can be contacted Monday to Thursday 8am to 5.30pm, Friday 8am to 5pm. If you're calling from overseas, please call +64 9 375 9926. (toll charges apply for overseas calls).
Using myTrove Notify
myTrove Notify is an external service provider working with the Department of Internal Affairs, who will automatically verify a person’s passing with Births Deaths and Marriages.
