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Glossary of terms

Listed below are a few of the most common terms used when managing the affairs of a deceased person.

Term

Definition

Administrator

The person or persons appointed by the Supreme Court to deal with the Estate of a deceased who has died intestate.

Beneficiary

A person or entity who is entitled to a gift in a Will or to a share of a deceased person's Estate.

Certified Copy

A document which has been certified as a true copy of the original. For more information about who is authorised to certify documents please view the Identification by Certified Copy for Individuals Form (PDF 456kB).

Customer Identification Process (CIP)

All individuals or entities seeking banking services from ANZ need to verify their identity through the Customer Identification Process.

Identification documents used to verify an individual's identity may include passports, birth certificates, driver's licence, utilities bills, Medicare cards etc.

ANZ's CIP is our process of verifying the identity of the Executor(s)/Administrator(s)/Next of Kin prior to releasing the Estate funds, and can be completed in person at an ANZ branch with the appropriate identification documents (view the Identification by Certified Copy for Individuals Form (PDF 456kB)). Before a person can open or be a signatory to a bank account it is a requirement of Commonwealth law .that the person’s identity be verified. If you are already an ANZ customer, you may have already completed ANZ's CIP and may therefore not need to complete it again.

Coroner's Report

A report that is produced as a result of an official inquest on the cause of death.

Death Certificate

A certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, giving the date, place and cause of death along with other relevant information.

Deceased Estate

The property and assets belonging to a person who has passed away.  Often simply referred to as ‘the estate’ or ‘an estate’.

'Estate of' account

An account that is opened to receive moneys owing to a deceased person's Estate, for example; the bond from a nursing home.  To open an 'Estate of' account, you will be required to provide a Tax File Number (TFN). Please contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for advice on how to apply for a TFN for the Estate.

Executor(s)

An executor or executors is the person appointed by the Will of the deceased to administer the estate, and carry out the deceased's wishes as expressed in the Will.

Grant of Probate

A Grant of Probate is a document issued by the Supreme Court to the Executor(s) named in the Will of the deceased.  The Grant is legal proof that the Executor has the authority to act on behalf of the Estate in accordance with the terms of the Will.

Intestate

A deceased person who dies without leaving a valid Will is said to have died intestate.

Letters of Administration

A document issued by the Supreme Court that appoints a person to administer the Estate of a deceased person who did not leave a valid Will. In most instances a grant of Letters of Administration is made to the closest surviving next of kin.

Medical death certificate

A certificate issued by the attending physician, stating the date, place and cause of death.

Next of Kin

The closest living relative of the deceased, e.g. a spouse or a child of the deceased.

Signatory

Party(ies) authorised to sign on an account on behalf of a deceased Estate, such as an Executor or administrator. 

Solicitor/Lawyer 

A Solicitor/Lawyer is a person authorised to practise law within the relevant state or territory. A solicitor is a type of lawyer who accepts instructions directly from clients.   A solicitor can assist you in the administration of the deceased Estate, including obtaining a grant of Probate.

Testate

The deceased died leaving a valid Will.

Will

A legal document that details how the assets of the will maker are to be distributed on death and appointing a person or person(s) to carry out those instructions.

Looking for more resources?

Dealing with a deceased estate

Take the first steps to dealing with a deceased estate. Find out how to close ANZ accounts and release funds.

Useful contact numbers

Get in touch with the right person to discuss a deceased estate matter, including Superannuation, and more.

Frequently asked questions

Quickly find answers to common questions about dealing with a deceased estate.

Document checklist

We’ll require a number of documents from you to settle a deceased person’s account. Here’s a helpful guide of what we may need.

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