Loss of a loved one.

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

Total value of accounts held at Westpac (at date of death or current)	Requirements	How
Below $500	Certified death certificate or proof of death Certified ID for the Executor(s)/Administrator(s) Bank account details for payment of Estate funds	Take documents to any Westpac branch OR Email documents directly to the estate management team
Below $15,000	Certified death certificate or proof of death Certified ID for the Executor(s)/Administrator(s) Signed declaration and claim/indemnity form	Take documents to any Westpac branch OR Email documents directly to the estate management team
Above $15,000	Certified death certificate or proof of death Certified copy of probate or letters of administration Certified ID for the Executor(s)/Administrator(s) Signed letter of instruction requesting closure of the accounts	Take documents to any Westpac branch OR Email documents directly to the estate management team

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. 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
Managed Funds Transactions Request 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–Thursday 8am-5.30pm, Friday 8am- 5pm. If you're calling from overseas, please call +64 9 375 9926. (toll charges apply for overseas calls).

Call 0800 756 872

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.

Go to myTrove website

Support team email

You can also contact the team via email.

Email us

In branch

Our branches are here to help you too.

Find your local branch