Openai/6950509f-daa8-8012-a1b6-2813aeb369a8

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User: Can you help this person with all of their questions as accurately as possible.

Can you help this person with all of their questions as accurately as possible. Please provide a necessary links to resources they may need. Make it a simple step by step process. “Hi, my brother died very recently in a small village outside of Edmonton. I am not in the same province, plan on going early January with my sister. We don't know if he has a will, insurance or anything, or who he has listed as next of kin; he's ex military, lived much like a hermit due to alcohol and mental health issues. We were in touch by phone, no animosity, it's just how he lived.

I dont even know where to start, our parents are too old to deal with anything. I feel the first thing we need to do is organize his cremation, and get to his house and look for paperwork to find lawyer info or anything. We are worried about his house being ransacked, dont care about possessions but want his paperwork, he doesn't do anything online, has no computer.

His neighbour has a key, we don't know him but he said he'd keep an eye on the house. He ¹had a girlfriend there and they did not live together; we dont know her, dont know if she is trustworthy. We aren't out for money as he probably doesn't have much, he has a son he's never met that lives quite far away, who wanted nothing to do with him; if he left it all to him that's awesome but things need to be done, we do hope to be reciprocated as we both can't really afford this, flights, hotel, car rental, not to mention the cremation. Our Dad can help some but he doesn't have tonnes of money either, out mom is in long-term care.

I don't know his Social insurance number, don't know if our Dad has it; I moved him recently and there may be info at his house still but that is also quite a ways away and I won't be able to get there before I go to Alberta.

So at a loss, we just want to do what is right but don't even know know where to start. How do we get death certificate if we can't prove we're his sisters? What a fricken' mess. 😔

I am so touched from all the replies! It's been such a hard few days and my emotional are all over the board. I am trying to reply to all. Thank you all so much. 💙

I didn't change my user name so if anyone recognizes this because of the circumstances, um, hi 👋”

Assistant: I’m very sorry for your loss.

I’m very sorry for your loss. 💙 What you’re describing is far more common than people realize, especially when someone lived privately and struggled with health issues. You’re not failing at this — you’re stepping into a complicated system without a map, and that’s not your fault.

Below is a clear, Alberta-specific, step-by-step guide, written for people who don’t yet have documents, proof, or money upfront.

I’ll also explain what you do NOT need right now, because that’s often what causes panic.

BIG PICTURE (So You Can Breathe)

You do not need:

• A will to start
• His SIN immediately
• Proof you’re his sisters on Day 1
• To pay everything personally upfront
• To solve everything on this trip

You do need to:

1. Secure the body & cremation
2. Secure the home & paperwork
3. Get the death registered
4. Apply for authority to deal with the estate

Everything else comes after.

STEP 1 — Cremation & Death Registration (THIS COMES FIRST)

✔ Call an Alberta funeral home near where he died

You can do this before you arrive.

They will:

• Arrange cremation
• Register the death with Alberta Vital Statistics
• Order death certificates for you

👉 You do NOT need to prove you’re next of kin immediately to arrange cremation if:

• There is no known spouse
• Parents are elderly and unable
• You are acting in good faith

Most funeral homes are very experienced with exactly this scenario.

Key phrase to use on the phone:

“There is no known spouse. Our parents are elderly and unable to manage this. We are his sisters arranging cremation and estate steps.”

Ask the funeral home:

• What is the least expensive direct cremation option
• Can costs be billed to the estate (VERY common)
• How many death certificates you should order (recommend 5–10)

💡 Funeral homes often know estate lawyers, veterans services, and financial assistance options.

🔗 Alberta Funeral Consumer Info https://www.alberta.ca/funerals-and-burials

STEP 2 — Death Certificates (You DO NOT Need ID Proof Right Away)

Who can order them?

In Alberta, anyone with a valid reason (estate handling, legal, insurance) can request death certificates.

You do not need:

• His SIN
• To prove you’re his sisters immediately

The funeral home submits the registration — you simply request copies.

🔗 Alberta Vital Statistics https://www.alberta.ca/order-death-certificate

STEP 3 — Secure the House (DO THIS QUICKLY)

What to do immediately:

1. Change the locks (yes, even if neighbour has a key)
2. Remove or secure: - Mail - Paperwork - Wallet, ID, military papers
3. Photograph the home as found

You are legally allowed to secure assets to prevent loss — even without probate yet.

About the girlfriend:

• She has no automatic legal authority
• Do not discuss finances or documents with her
• If she asks questions, say: > “The estate will be handled through Alberta probate.”

STEP 4 — Look ONLY for These Documents (Ignore Everything Else)

You are not clearing a house yet. You are hunting for paper.

Priority list:

• Will (often in: - Filing cabinets - Nightstands - Envelopes marked “important”)
• Lawyer’s name or letterhead
• Military discharge papers (DD214 / CF Release)
• Bank statements
• Property tax bills
• Utility bills
• Insurance letters
• SIN card (if found, secure it)

📸 Take photos of documents — don’t remove originals unless necessary.

STEP 5 — If There Is NO Will (Very Common)

If no will is found, Alberta law applies intestate succession.

Likely order (simplified):

1. Legal spouse (none)
2. Children (his son)
3. Parents
4. Siblings

Even if the son wanted “nothing to do with him,” he is still legally next in line unless he formally renounces.

⚠️ This does NOT mean you’re excluded from managing things.

STEP 6 — Apply for “Grant of Administration” (This Gives You Authority)

This is the legal document that allows someone to:

• Deal with banks
• Sell property
• Close accounts
• Pay funeral expenses from the estate

You (or your sister) can apply even if you are not the beneficiary, especially if:

• Parents are unable
• Child is absent/unwilling

🔗 Alberta Surrogate Court (Probate) https://albertacourts.ca/qb/areas-of-law/wills-and-estates

💡 You do not need a lawyer if the estate is simple — but one consult can save headaches.

STEP 7 — Veterans Benefits (VERY IMPORTANT)

Because he was ex-military, there may be help with cremation costs.

Contact Veterans Affairs Canada ASAP.

🔗 Veterans Affairs Canada – Death Benefits https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/financial-support/benefits-finder/death-benefits

📞 1-866-522-2122

Ask specifically about:

• Funeral & burial assistance
• Survivor support
• Any outstanding benefits

STEP 8 — Financial Help If Estate Has No Money

If there are no assets:

• Alberta has public trustee options
• Funeral homes can guide low-income assistance
• Costs may be recoverable later if assets appear

🔗 Office of the Public Trustee https://www.alberta.ca/office-public-trustee

STEP 9 — What About His SIN?

You can obtain it later through:

• CRA
• Service Canada
• Estate process

Do not panic about this now.

🔗 Service Canada – SIN after death https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin.html

VERY IMPORTANT EMOTIONAL TRUTH

You are doing exactly what responsible, loving family members do — even when the relationship was complicated. This situation is messy because life was messy, not because you are failing.

You are allowed to:

• Take breaks
• Do this slowly
• Protect yourselves financially
• Say “we’ll deal with that later”

IF YOU WANT

I can:

• Create a checklist you can print
• Help you script phone calls (funeral home, VAC, court)
• Help decide who should apply for administration
• Help you plan what can realistically be done on one January trip

Just tell me what would help most right now.