Estate Inventory — Succession (Quebec)

A Quebec estate inventory (inventaire des biens de la succession) is a comprehensive legal document that lists and values all assets and liabilities forming part of a deceased person's estate. It is prepared by the liquidator of the succession (formerly called the testamentary executor) under the mandatory obligation established by art. 795 of the Civil Code of Quebec (Code civil du Québec, C.c.Q.), which requires the liquidator to make an inventory of all property belonging to the succession.

The legal framework governing the estate inventory is found in arts. 794 to 801 C.c.Q., which form part of the broader succession liquidation provisions of arts. 776 to 835 C.c.Q. Article 794 C.c.Q. specifies that the inventory must include all movable and immovable property of the deceased, as well as all rights and obligations forming part of the estate. Article 795 C.c.Q. imposes the obligation on the liquidator to make the inventory. Article 799 C.c.Q. requires the liquidator to register a notice of closure of inventory in the register of personal and movable real rights (Registre des droits personnels et réels mobiliers — RDPRM) upon completion of the inventory, which triggers the 60-day deliberation period for heirs. Article 800 C.c.Q. provides that the reasonable costs of making the inventory are a charge on the succession. Article 801 C.c.Q. governs the right of any interested person to compel the making of an inventory if the liquidator fails to do so.

The estate inventory serves multiple critical legal purposes. For heirs, it provides the essential financial information needed to make an informed decision on whether to accept or renounce the succession under arts. 630 to 643 C.c.Q. Without a proper inventory, an heir who accepts the succession may unknowingly assume liability for debts that exceed the value of the estate. For creditors of the deceased, the inventory and the notice of its closure at the RDPRM provide public notice that the succession is being liquidated and give them the opportunity to assert their claims. For the liquidator, the inventory is the starting point for the entire liquidation process — paying debts, filing tax returns, and ultimately distributing the residue of the estate to the heirs.

The Quebec estate inventory covers all categories of assets and liabilities: immovable property (real estate) with their addresses, lot numbers, and estimated values; significant movable property including vehicles, furniture, art, jewellery, and collectibles; all financial assets including bank accounts, investment accounts, registered retirement plans, and other financial instruments; all debts and liabilities including mortgages, personal loans, credit card balances, and outstanding bills; and life insurance policies, noting separately those with designated beneficiaries that pass outside the estate under art. 2453 C.c.Q.

A Quebec estate inventory is needed in virtually every succession, whether the deceased left a will (succession testamentaire) or died intestate (succession ab intestat). The obligation to make an inventory under art. 795 C.c.Q. arises as soon as the liquidator accepts the role and begins administering the estate. There are no exceptions based on the size or apparent simplicity of the estate — even small estates benefit from a formal inventory to protect heirs and document the liquidator's actions.

The inventory is particularly critical when the estate contains real property. For the liquidator to transfer title to immovable property to an heir or to a buyer, the succession must be documented with appropriate legal instruments including the inventory. Land registrars and financial institutions require evidence of the succession's assets and the liquidator's authority before accepting instructions to transfer immovable property or release funds from bank accounts.

When the estate may include significant debts, the inventory becomes even more important. Quebec law under art. 625 C.c.Q. limits an heir's liability for the debts of the succession to the value of the property received — but only if a proper inventory has been made. Without an inventory, an heir who accepts the succession unconditionally may be exposed to unlimited personal liability for the debts of the estate. This protection is one of the most important reasons for ensuring that a proper inventory is prepared before heirs make their decision to accept.

Estate inventories are also required for tax purposes. The Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec require the liquidator to file terminal tax returns for the deceased and estate income tax returns for the estate as a separate taxpayer. The inventory values form the basis for calculating deemed disposition gains, the adjusted cost base of assets, and other tax calculations. Without a documented inventory, the liquidator may face challenges in completing the tax administration of the estate.

When there are multiple heirs — particularly when some are minors, or when heirs have competing interests or potential disputes — a formal written inventory provides an objective, documented record of the estate's composition at the time of death. This prevents disputes about what assets existed, when they were valued, and what liabilities were known at the time of death.

A complete and legally effective Quebec estate inventory under arts. 794-801 C.c.Q. must include a series of essential elements that satisfy both the legal requirements of the Civil Code and the practical needs of heirs, creditors, and tax authorities.

First, precise identification of the deceased person (de cujus) is mandatory. This includes the full legal name as it appears on official documents, date of birth, date of death, and last domicile. The date of death determines the moment at which the succession opened under art. 613 C.c.Q. and is the reference date for all asset valuations. The document must also note whether the deceased left a will and if so, its type — notarial (art. 712 C.c.Q.), holograph (art. 726 C.c.Q.), or made before witnesses (art. 727 C.c.Q.) — as this determines the procedure for establishing the liquidator's authority.

Second, full identification of the liquidator is required, including their name, address, telephone number, and the legal basis of their appointment — whether designated in the will under art. 786 C.c.Q., appointed by the heirs under art. 788 C.c.Q., or appointed by the court under art. 790 C.c.Q. The presence of a notary and their contact information should also be noted.

Third, a comprehensive listing of immovable property is essential, including the full civic address and cadastral lot number for each property, the municipal assessment value (évaluation municipale), and the estimated market value at the date of death. For real estate, a formal property appraisal may be needed for tax purposes.

Fourth, all significant movable property must be listed with sufficient description to identify each item and an estimated value at the date of death. This includes vehicles (with VIN numbers), major furniture and household goods, art and collectibles, jewellery, and any other personal property of value.

Fifth, all financial assets must be documented with reference to the institution, account type, last four digits of the account number (for privacy), and approximate balance at the date of death. Registered plans — RRSP, TFSA, RRIF, defined contribution pension, LIRA — require special attention because those with designated beneficiaries may pass outside the estate.

Sixth, all debts and liabilities must be listed comprehensively. This includes mortgages with their outstanding balances, personal loans, credit card debts, unpaid utility bills, income tax obligations, and any other outstanding liabilities. The total passive value of the estate is subtracted from the total active value to arrive at the net value of the succession.

Seventh, life insurance policies are recorded — noting clearly which have designated beneficiaries and which are payable to the estate. Eighth, the heirs and their respective shares are identified. Ninth, the estate value summary — total active, total passive, and net value — is presented clearly to allow heirs to make their informed decision. Tenth, the liquidator's declaration of good faith under art. 1375 C.c.Q. and the commitment to register the notice of closure in the RDPRM complete the document.