For an individual Investment Funds account, we will pay the investment to the personal representative of the investor's estate once we have received the required legal documentation. If the investor left a valid Will, this will usually be the executor once probate has been granted.

If the investor did not leave a Will, an administrator will usually need to be appointed. Where the investment balance is more than $40,000, this generally requires Letters of Administration.

For estates with a balance of $40,000 or less, we may be able to release the funds without probate or Letters of Administration, subject to receiving the required documentation. Our Investor Services team can guide the deceased's family or representatives through the process.

If the Investment Funds account is held jointly, ownership of the investment passes automatically to the surviving account holder. We will usually require a certified copy of the deceased investor's death certificate before updating the account into the surviving investor's sole name. Once this has been completed, the surviving investor can continue to hold or withdraw their investment in the usual way.