Bereavement is always a difficult time in our lives. During this emotional period there is a lot to organise, with many questions needing answered. We're there to help you as much as we can. We'll also advise you on how to secure your family's financial future after your death and make sure that your assets get legally transferred to them in accordance with your wishes.
KBC helps you
At KBC, we're here for you with an entire Estates team to support you when you lose a loved one. When you notify us that one of our clients has died, much of the attendant paperwork is dealt with for you. We give you useful information and ensure a smooth procedure for winding up the deceased's KBC banking and insurance matters.
Digital estate file
If you are registered with KBC as the next of kin of a deceased person, you can gain access to the digital estate file. This allows you to monitor the processing of the estate yourself in KBC Mobile and KBC Touch: what stage has been reached in the processing, which documents do we need from you, and which invoices, if any, have you sent us to pay from the blocked accounts. For each document and invoice separately, you can also see the stage of its processing.
What to do when someone dies
When you lose someone dear to you, you may be faced with having to deal with several administrative formalities as soon as possible. Other aspects can be dealt with somewhat later. It's often hard to know where to start. Our bereavement checklist will help you on your way.
Notify us of the death
Informing us of the death of a family member or someone close to you is the first step to making sure the deceased's financial affairs are taken care of properly and smoothly. You do this easily online. We then inform you what procedures need to be gone through at each stage of the process.
Register as next of kin
Next of kin need to register in the estate file in order to be included as possible heirs. It's easy to register yourself and others as next of kin online.
Ensure bills are still paid
To protect the rights of heirs, the law requires us to temporarily freeze access to any accounts or safe-deposit boxes held by the deceased and their spouse or partner (including joint accounts). We do this the minute we hear of the death.
As heir, you can still pay the bills
- With your own funds. The heirs can later collectively settle these payments amongst themselves
- With the money representing the living expenses of the deceased's partner (where this is applicable)
- Out of the frozen accounts if the payments are allowed by law and if there is sufficient balance on the frozen bank account